Medical technology assessment - Electrodiagnosis in motor neuron diseases and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

In motor neuron diseases/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (MND-ALS), electrodi agnostic techniques are essential in supporting the diagnosis and excluding other conditions that clinically resemble MND-ALS. Electrodiagnostic techn iques can also monitor disease progression and provide prognostic informati on. Electromyography has an important role in the diagnosis of MND-ALS, but some drawbacks should be borne in mind. Although internationally accepted electrophysiological criteria have been defined to support MND-ALS diagnosi s, differences in different laboratories can raise unexpected difficulties in application of diagnosis criteria. Much work needs to be done to increas e standardisation of the electrodiagnosis of MND-ALS in order to improve qu ality. Differential diagnosis with motor axonal neuropathies may be particu larly difficult. EMG is an essential tool for the early diagnosis of MND-AL S, which increases potential benefit of therapeutic interventions. A wide d iscussion among neurophysiologists from different schools could create a so und consensus on early diagnosis of MND-ALS. (C) 2001 Editions scientitique s et medicales Elsevier SAS.