Vucic and others 2007
Currently, there is no pathognomonic test for the diagnosis of motor neurone disease
Clinicians rely on the presence of upper and lower motor neurone symptoms and signs to make the diagnosis of MND
Neurophysiologicial, neuroimaging and laboratory investigations are routinely applied in the diagnostic work-up of patients who may have MND to identify subclinical involvement and to exclude the presence of potentially treatable MND-mimic disorders
Further development of existing imaging and neurophysiological techniques may enable a more definitive early diagnosis of MND
Andersen and others 2007
The diagnosis should be pursued as early as possible. Patients of whom ALS is suspected should be referred with high priority to an experienced neurologist.
All suspected new cases should undergo prompt detailed clinical and paraclinical examinations.
In some cases, additional investigations may be needed.
Repetition of the investigations may be needed if the initial series of tests do not result in a diagnosis.
Review of the diagnosis is advisable if there is no evidence of progression or if the patient develops atypical features.
Chio and others 2009
Several studies, but not all, have found that a longer delay from symptom onset to diagnosis carries a better prognosis. In general, the finding of a worse prognosis in patients with a short time delay between onset and diagnosis is likely to indicate a more aggressive disease, which leads the patient to seek medical attention more rapidly and is more readily diagnosed.
