DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA

ALS is a difficult disease to diagnose. To date, there is no single test or procedure that can definitively establish the diagnosis of ALS. By conducting a clinical examination and a series of diagnostic tests that often rule out other similar diseases, a clinician is able to establish a firm diagnosis. A comprehensive diagnostic workup will include most of the following procedures:

• electrodiagnostic tests including electomyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV)
• blood and urine studies including high resolution serum protein electrophoresis, thyroid and parathyroid hormone levels and 24 hour urine collection for heavy metals
• spinal tap
• x-rays, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• myelogram of cervical spine
• muscle and/or nerve biopsy
• thorough neurological examination

These tests are done at the discretion of the examining physician, usually based on the results of other diagnostic tests and the physical examination. There are several diseases that have some of the same symptoms as ALS and most of these conditions are treatable.