J Electrodiagn Neuromuscul Dis.  2023 Dec;25(3):100-104. 10.18214/jend.2023.00171.

Evolution of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Diagnostic Criteria Towards the Gold Coast Criteria

• Lee S

• KMID: 2549750
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18214/jend.2023.00171

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons (LMNs). Careful history taking, neurological examination, and electromyography are used to confirm its clinical diagnosis. The El Escorial, revised El Escorial and Awaji criteria have proposed varying degrees of diagnostic probability for ALS. However, such categories may cause uncertainty among patients regarding the certainty of diagnosis. Cases labeled as “possible ALS” also risk exclusion from clinical trials. To clarify and simplify the diagnostic criteria of ALS, the previous diagnostic categories of possible, probable, and definite were abandoned in the newly suggested criteria, Gold Coast criteria. The simplified criteria offer practical utility for precise diagnosis of LMN-predominant ALS and clinical trial recruitment going forward.

Keyword

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Electromyography; Motor neuron disease