ALS diagnosis

Having possible symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) increases the chances of getting an ALS diagnosis by nearly five times, but getting diagnosed is more likely for people in urban areas, who have greater access to specialized care, a U.S. study shows. People in rural areas are diagnosed at…

ALS was first identified in 1869, though its symptoms were documented in medical literature as early as 1824. It’s intriguing that the sequence of the disease today is often similar, with initial symptoms followed by an actual diagnosis. It took four years to receive my…

Anxiety is common among people newly diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and their family members, a small study from Sweden reports. However, symptoms of anxiety tended to ease about six or so months later for patients, while they continued to affect relatives, many who are caregivers, two years…

A test that assesses the electrical activity associated with blinking may help speed the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and monitor disease progression in people with the condition, a study found. Findings showed that certain electrical waves can significantly distinguish people with ALS from healthy controls or…

A new Canadian initiative seeks to advance development of an artificial intelligence (AI) program aimed at helping healthcare professionals detect possible signs of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the disease’s early stages. The AI program is crafted to analyze de-identified electronic medical records (EMRs) and detect individuals who should…

My late husband, Jeff, made a dream come true for me. When I was a kid, my dad would take our family on our small powerboat to explore the waters near my hometown of Annapolis, Maryland. If we had enough time and the weather cooperated, we’d take a…

Some $2 million in new grants from two U.S. nonprofits are seeking to help scientists globally to find ways to slash the time it takes for an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis. It’s now estimated to take up to 16 months from symptom onset before most individuals receive a…

Like many in the ALS community, I was saddened to learn of the recent death of Bryan Randall, a photographer and the partner of actor Sandra Bullock. I respected that his loved ones honored his request to keep his ALS diagnosis private throughout the course of…

The first text message my late husband, Jeff, ever sent me was just one word. We’d had our first date the previous evening, and our dinner at a sidewalk restaurant on a mild autumn evening in Alexandria, Virginia, was full of laughter. I was happy to see his text the…

Yes, I know, this headline is an obvious conclusion. Yet, based on my dialogue with other ALS patients, as well as my own experience, it’s not always so obvious. In late 2009, I noticed a drop in my left foot. As it progressed, I asked our family doctor what…