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Corcia P, Guy N, Pradat PF, Soriani MH, Verschueren A, Couratier P. Treatment continuity of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with available riluzole formulations: state of the art and current challenges in a 'real-world' setting. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024:1-7. [PMID: 38973130 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2024.2375330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare multisystem neurodegenerative disease leading to death due to respiratory failure. Riluzole was the first disease modifying treatment approved in ALS. Randomized clinical trials showed a significant benefit of riluzole on survival in the months following randomization, with a good safety profile. 'Real-world' studies suggested that the survival benefit of riluzole is substantially greater, with an extended survival ranging between 6 and 19 months. The main limiting associated adverse effects of riluzole are non-severe gastrointestinal complications and an elevation of liver enzymes, observed in 10% of patients. While different classes of drugs have been approved in some countries, riluzole remains the gold standard of therapy. Dysphagia induced by ALS is a major challenge for food intake and riluzole administration. Tablet crushing is associated with a loss of drug intake and a risk of powder aspiration, which jeopardizes the benefits of riluzole. Riluzole oral suspension (ROS) and oral film (ROF) allow riluzole intake in patients with dysphagia. Both formulations are bioequivalent to riluzole tablets with a good safety profile albeit transient oral hypoaesthesia. In case of severe dysphagia, ROS can be used with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. ROF, the last approved formulation, requires low swallowing capacities and may contribute to maintain the efficacy of riluzole when tablets are inadequate according to patient's status and/or preferences. To optimize treatment continuity in newly diagnosed patients, the expected psychological impact of formulation switching that may be perceived as the sign of disease progression should be anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Corcia
- CHRU Bretonneau, Centre de Référence SLA et autres maladies du neurone moteur, Tours, France
| | - Nathalie Guy
- Centre de Référence SLA et autres maladies du neurone moteur, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand; Inserm Neuro-Dol U1107, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Pierre-François Pradat
- Centre de Référence SLA et autres maladies du neurone moteur, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière APHP, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Helene Soriani
- Centre de Référence SLA et autres maladies du neurone moteur, CHU de Nice, Hôpital Pasteur 2, Nice, France
| | - Annie Verschueren
- Centre de Référence SLA et autres maladies du neurone moteur, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France, and
| | - Philippe Couratier
- Centre de Référence SLA et autres maladies du neurone moteur, CHU Dupuytren 1, Limoges, France
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Zejlon C, Sennfält S, Finnsson J, Connolly B, Petersson S, Granberg T, Ingre C. Motor band sign is specific for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and corresponds to motor symptoms. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2024; 11:1280-1289. [PMID: 38647181 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.52066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Magnetic resonance imaging can detect neurodegenerative iron accumulation in the motor cortex, called the motor band sign. This study aims to evaluate its sensitivity/specificity and correlations to symptomatology, biomarkers, and clinical outcome in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. METHODS This prospective study consecutively enrolled 114 persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and 79 mimics referred to Karolinska University Hospital, and also 31 healthy controls. All underwent 3-Tesla brain susceptibility-weighted imaging. Three raters independently assessed motor cortex susceptibility with total and regional motor band scores. Survival was evaluated at a median of 34.2 months after the imaging. RESULTS The motor band sign identified amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with a sensitivity of 59.6% and a specificity of 91.1% versus mimics and 96.8% versus controls. Higher motor band scores were more common with genetic risk factors (p = 0.032), especially with C9orf72 mutation, and were associated with higher neurofilament light levels (std. β 0.22, p = 0.019). Regional scores correlated strongly with focal symptoms (medial region vs. gross motor dysfunction, std. β -0.64, p = 0.001; intermediate region vs. fine motor dysfunction, std. β -0.51, p = 0.031; lateral region vs. bulbar symptoms std. β -0.71, p < 0.001). There were no associations with cognition, progression rate, or survival. INTERPRETATION In a real-life clinical setting, the motor band sign has high specificity but relatively low sensitivity for identifying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Associations with genetic risk factors, neurofilament levels and somatotopic correspondence to focal motor weakness suggest that the motor band sign could be a suitable biomarker for diagnostics and clinical trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Zejlon
- Department of Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefan Sennfält
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johannes Finnsson
- Department of Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bryan Connolly
- Department of Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sven Petersson
- Department of Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tobias Granberg
- Department of Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Caroline Ingre
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Goyal NA, Bonar K, Savic N, Beau Lejdstrom R, Wright J, Mellor J, McDermott C. Misdiagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in clinical practice in Europe and the USA: a patient chart review and physician survey. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:16-25. [PMID: 37794794 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2260808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Delays in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis can result in compromised disease management and unnecessary costs. We examined the extent of ALS misdiagnosis in the US and Europe. METHODS Data were collected via the Adelphi ALS Disease Specific Programme™, a cross-sectional survey of physicians and a medical chart review of their consulting patients with ALS in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK (EU5), and the US. Between July 2020 and March 2021, eligible physicians (primary speciality neurology, active involvement in managing patients with ALS) abstracted data from patients (≥18 years old) with confirmed ALS. RESULTS Overall, 138 physicians completed the survey (EU5 107, US 31), with data reviewed from 795 patient medical charts (EU5 568, US 227); 278 (35.0%) patients (EU5 183 [32.2%], US 95 [41.9%]) had received ≥1 initial misdiagnosis based on symptoms later attributed to ALS. Mean (SD) time from symptom onset to first healthcare professional consultation was 3.8 (5.2) months (EU5 4.3 [4.8] months, US 2.6 [5.8] months). Mean (SD) time from symptom onset to ALS diagnosis was 8.2 (12.5) months (EU5 9.6 [14.0] months, US 5.0 [6.8] months) and increased to 10.4 (17.9) for patients with a misdiagnosis (compared with 6.9 [7.2] for patients with no misdiagnosis). Physician-identified barriers to timely ALS diagnosis included the similarity of symptoms to other conditions and delayed referral to neurologists. CONCLUSIONS Misdiagnosis of ALS is frequent, with a protracted diagnostic pathway. Targeted education of patients and physicians about signs and symptoms and benefits of prompt referral to multidisciplinary care are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namita A Goyal
- Department of Neurology, UC Irvine MDA-ALS and Neuromuscular Center, University of California, Irvine, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Christopher McDermott
- Department of Neurology, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Abrahams S. Neuropsychological impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-frontotemporal spectrum disorder. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:655-667. [PMID: 37828358 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00878-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with a rapid course, characterized by motor neuron dysfunction, leading to progressive disability and death. This Review, which is aimed at neurologists, psychologists and other health professionals who follow evidence-based practice relating to ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), examines the neuropsychological evidence that has driven the reconceptualization of ALS as a spectrum disorder ranging from a pure motor phenotype to ALS-FTD. It focuses on changes in cognition and behaviour, which vary in severity across the spectrum: around 50% individuals with ALS are within the normal range, 15% meet the criteria for ALS-FTD, and the remaining 35% are in the mid-spectrum range with milder and more focal impairments. The cognitive impairments include deficits in verbal fluency, executive functions, social cognition and language, and apathy is the most prevalent behavioural change. The pattern and severity of cognitive and behavioural change predicts underlying regional cerebral dysfunction from brain imaging and post-mortem pathology. Our increased recognition of cognition and behaviour as part of the ALS phenotype has led to the development and standardization of assessment tools, which have been incorporated into research and clinical care. Measuring change over the course of the disease is vital for clinical trials, and neuropsychology is proving to be a biomarker for the earliest preclinical changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Abrahams
- Human Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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Gwathmey KG, Corcia P, McDermott CJ, Genge A, Sennfält S, de Carvalho M, Ingre C. Diagnostic delay in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:2595-2601. [PMID: 37209406 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease, and the time from symptom onset to diagnosis remains long. With the advent of disease-modifying treatments, the need to identify and diagnose ALS in a timely fashion has never been greater. METHODS We reviewed the literature to define the severity of ALS diagnostic delay, the various factors that contribute to this delay (including patient and physician factors), and the role that site of symptom onset plays in a patient's diagnostic journey. RESULTS Diagnostic delay is influenced by general practitioners' lack of recognition of ALS due to disease rarity and heterogenous presentations. As a result, patients are referred to non-neurologists, have unnecessary diagnostic testing, and may ultimately be misdiagnosed. Patient factors include their illness behavior-which impacts diagnostic delay-and their site of symptom onset. Limb-onset patients have the greatest diagnostic delay because they are frequently misdiagnosed with degenerative spine disease or peripheral neuropathy. CONCLUSION Prompt ALS diagnosis results in more effective clinical management, with earlier access to disease-modifying therapies, multidisciplinary care, and, if desired, clinical trial involvement. Due to lack of commercially available ALS biomarkers, alternative strategies to identify and triage patients who likely have ALS must be employed. Several diagnostic tools have been developed to encourage general practitioners to consider ALS and make an urgent referral to ALS specialists, bypassing unnecessary referrals to non-neurologists and unnecessary diagnostic workup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly G Gwathmey
- Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Philippe Corcia
- CRMR SLA, CHU Tours, Tours, France
- UMR1253 iBrain UMR, Université de Tours, INSERM, Tours, France
| | - Chris J McDermott
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Angela Genge
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Stefan Sennfält
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa-Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Caroline Ingre
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Young CA, Ealing J, McDermott CJ, Williams TL, Al-Chalabi A, Majeed T, Talbot K, Harrower T, Faull C, Malaspina A, Annadale J, Mills RJ, Tennant A. Measuring disability in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease: the WHODAS 2.0-36, WHODAS 2.0-32, and WHODAS 2.0-12. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2023; 24:63-70. [PMID: 35876069 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2022.2102926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Aim: To investigate whether the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS) can provide interval level measurement of disability in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), allowing parametric analyses. Methods: Data on the WHODAS 12, 32, and 36-item versions, from 1120 patients studied at one or more time points, were fit to the Rasch model and comparisons made against ALSFRS-R, King's staging, and mortality. Trajectory modeling was undertaken for a newly diagnosed (≤6 months) cohort of 454 individuals. Results: Total scores for WHODAS 32 and 36-item versions can be converted to interval level measurement suitable for individual clinical use, and the 12-item WHODAS total for group use. The 36-item version is shown to be equivalent to the 32-item version. Expected correlations were seen with King's staging, ALSFRS-R, and EQ-5D-5L. Trajectory analysis of disability (WHODAS 2.0) showed three clearly demarcated groups with differences in King's staging, depressive symptomatology and mortality, but not age. Conclusions: The WHODAS 2.0 is a brief patient reported outcome measure which can be used to measure disability in ALS. Provided the patient answers all 36 (32 if not working) items, the conversion table produces an interval level estimate for parametric analyses. The different trajectories demonstrated from diagnosis support the concept of a prodromal period, and suggest the WHODAS 2.0 could be used for surveillance of at risk populations, such as those with genetic predisposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn A Young
- Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Lower Lane, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - John Ealing
- Department of Neurology, Greater Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford, UK
| | | | - Tim L Williams
- Department of Neurology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, UK
- Department of Neurology, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Tahir Majeed
- Department of Neurology, Lancashire Teaching Hospital, Preston, UK
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Department of Neurology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | - Joe Annadale
- Hywel Dda University Health Board, Wales, UK, and
| | - Roger J Mills
- Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Lower Lane, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Alan Tennant
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Tankisi H, Pia H, Strunge K, Howells J, Cengiz B, Samusyte G, Koltzenburg M, Fuglsang-Frederiksen A, Bostock H. Three different short-interval intracortical inhibition methods in early diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2023; 24:139-147. [PMID: 35899374 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2022.2101926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: To compare the utility of conventional amplitude measurements of short-interval intracortical inhibition (A-SICI) with two threshold-tracking (T-SICI) methods, as aids to early diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The new parallel threshold-tracking method (T-SICIp) was compared with the previously used serial tracking method (T-SICIs). Methods: 112 consecutive patients referred with the suspicion of ALS and 40 healthy controls were prospectively included. Based on clinical follow-up, patients were divided into 67 patients with motor neuron disease (MND) comprising progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) as well as ALS, and 45 patient controls. SICI was recorded from first dorsal interosseus muscle using the three different protocols. Results: MND patients had significantly reduced T-SICIp, T-SICIs and A-SICI, compared with healthy controls and patient controls, while healthy and patient controls were similar. Paradoxically, T-SICIp was least affected in MND patients with the most upper motor neuron (UMN) signs (Spearman ρ = 0.537, P < 0.0001) whereas there was no correlation for T-SICIs or A-SICI. T-SICIp also provided the best discrimination between patient controls and MND as determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. For patients with no UMN signs, area under ROC curve for 2-3ms inter-stimulus intervals was 0.931 for T-SICIp, 0.771 for T-SICIs and 0.786 for A-SICI. Conclusions: SICI is a sensitive measure for detection of cortical involvement in ALS patients. T-SICIp has higher sensitivity and specificity than T-SICIs and A-SICI, particularly in patients without any upper motor neuron signs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatice Tankisi
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Hossein Pia
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kristine Strunge
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - James Howells
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bülent Cengiz
- Department of Neurology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Beşevler, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gintaute Samusyte
- Department of Neurology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Martin Koltzenburg
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom, and
| | - Anders Fuglsang-Frederiksen
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Hugh Bostock
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom
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Orellana Zambrano MD, Candelo E, Rutt AL. The Role of the Otolaryngologist in Early Recognition of Patients With ALS: A Case Report. EAR, NOSE & THROAT JOURNAL 2022:1455613221120731. [PMID: 36358031 DOI: 10.1177/01455613221120731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
This case report aims to raise awareness of the possibility of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis in patients presenting to the Otolaryngology Department. We describe the case of a 66-year-old woman with hoarseness who was evaluated by several physicians and was referred to an ALS specialist only a year after symptom onset. Our case highlights the importance of considering motor neuron etiologies in patients with voice complaints. Early identification and referral to a specialist are critical for accurate diagnosis and prognosis and may be the key to slowing the disease's progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Estephania Candelo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Amy L Rutt
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
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Shefner JM. Changing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnostic criteria: Will it impact clinical trials? Muscle Nerve 2022; 66:377-379. [PMID: 35822531 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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