Defining optimal management in ALS: from first symptoms to announcement - Introduction

The advances in treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have demo nstrated the need to diagnose this disease precisely and directly. Two inte rnational initiatives, at El Escorial in 1990 and at Airlie House in 1998, have grappled with the clinical and laboratory elements that may accelerate the diagnostic process. Shortly after the Airlie House meeting in 1998, an international group of clinical neurologists met to discuss optimal manage ment strategies in ALS. The goals were to examine current diagnosis and tre atment pathways and to attempt to devise an algorithm that would foster ear ly diagnosis, thus enhancing the possibility of optimal treatment.