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.