Electrodiagnostic criteria for diagnosis of ALS

Abstract A consensus meeting was held to determine the best use and interpretation of electrophysiological data in the diagnosis of ALS. The utility of needle EMG and nerve conduction studies was affirmed. It is recommended that electrophysiological evidence for chronic neurogenic change should be t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical neurophysiology 2008-03, Vol.119 (3), p.497-503
Main Authors: de Carvalho, Mamede, Dengler, Reinhard, Eisen, Andrew, England, John D, Kaji, Ryuji, Kimura, Jun, Mills, Kerry, Mitsumoto, Hiroshi, Nodera, Hiroyuki, Shefner, Jeremy, Swash, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - diagnosis
Associated diseases and complications
Biological and medical sciences
Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance
Diagnosis
Electrodiagnosis - methods
Electrodiagnosis - standards
Electrodiagnosis. Electric activity recording
Electromyography
Electrophysiology
Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases)
Endocrinopathies
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Medical sciences
Motor neuron disease
Nervous system
Neurology
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Summary:Abstract A consensus meeting was held to determine the best use and interpretation of electrophysiological data in the diagnosis of ALS. The utility of needle EMG and nerve conduction studies was affirmed. It is recommended that electrophysiological evidence for chronic neurogenic change should be taken as equivalent to clinical information in the recognition of involvement of individual muscles in a limb. In addition, in the context of a suspected clinical diagnosis of ALS, fasciculation potentials should be taken as equivalent to fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves in recognising denervation. The importance of searching for instability in fasciculation potentials and in motor unit potentials in ALS is stressed. These changes in the interpretation of electrophysiological data render obsolete the category Probable Laboratory-Supported ALS in the modified El Escorial diagnostic criteria for ALS. Methods for detection of upper motor neuron abnormality appear sensitive but require further study, particularly regarding their value when clinical signs of upper motor neuron lesion are uncertain.
ISSN:1388-2457
1872-8952
DOI:10.1016/j.clinph.2007.09.143