Economic analysis of neurological services

The authors present an economic model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS ) that illustrates study design, cost and outcome variables. They point out a host of technical issues that must be considered in trial designs includ ing the use of reference case, methods used to collect data, and whose view point is being considered (the perspective of the analysis). The implicatio n of such an economic analysis for all neurological services and the ethica l controversies surrounding its use are discussed. Eur J Neurol 6 (suppl 2) :S21-S24 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.