Shortening the time to diagnosis in ALS: the role of electrodiagnostic studies

Authors
Citation
M. Swash, Shortening the time to diagnosis in ALS: the role of electrodiagnostic studies, AMYOTROPH L, 1, 2000, pp. S67-S72
Citations number
24
Categorie Soggetti
Neurology
Journal title
AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS AND OTHER MOTOR NEURON DISORDERS
ISSN journal
14660822 → ACNP
Volume
1
Year of publication
2000
Supplement
1
Pages
S67 - S72
Database
ISI
SICI code
1466-0822(200003)1:<S67:STTTDI>2.0.ZU;2-F
Abstract
The early diagnosis of ALs has become an issue in management of the disease with the introduction of a therapy.(1) As more effective treatment becomes available early diagnosis will become increasingly important. Electromyogr aphy (EMG) has potential value in this area, but will need to be applied no t only with conventional methods but also quantitatively in order to refine the accuracy of diagnosis itself, and to evaluate progression. If a treatm ent is effective then progression will not occur and one of the major corne rstones of current diagnosis will disappear. for early diagnosis much will depend on appropriate recognition of the possibility of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by primary care physicians, and other specialists. A semi-quanti tative evaluation, utilizing clinical and EMG assessments, would help in th is appraisal.