Diagnostic criteria of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Abstract

The revised El Escorial Criteria (EEC) are the gold standard of ALS diagnosis. They are very specific although insensitive and not suitable for early diagnosis. Therefore the Awaji Criteria have been developed which put more emphasis on EMG findings than the EEC, especially on fasciculation potentials. The Awaji Criteria regard fasciculation potentials as sign of active denervation in an otherwise typical clinical context of ALS. Recent publications confirm that the Awaji Criteria have a higher sensitivity than the EEC in the diagnosis of ALS without increasing the rate of false positive diagnoses.

Keywords

• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• el escorial criteria
• awaji criteria