Electrophysiologic Diagnosis of Suspected Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - Consensus Recommendations of the German Network for Motor Neuron Diseases (MND-Net)

Electrophysiologic investigations play a central role in the diagnosis of suspected amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Electromyography and electroneurography, frequently complemented by motor evoked potentials, are commonly used to substantiate the diagnosis of ALS and to work-up differential diagnosis. A survey of the German Network for Motor Neuron Diseases revealed considerable differences in electrodiagnostic strategies between individual centres. In view of the great interest in harmonizing their diagnostic methods, the present recommendations were agreed upon by all centers of the MND-Net, aiming at their clinical implementation and subsequent multicentric validation. We present here recommendations for a basic routine diagnostic work-up in case of suspected ALS with high sensitivity, specificity and a minimal number of examinations.