Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Testing and Diagnosis

The team at Banner Brain & Spine is here to help you along you or your loved one’s ALS journey. Find out more about how Banner Brain & Spine may help test and diagnose ALS.

What Tests Screen for ALS?

While there are no tests that specifically provide an ALS diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe various tests to rule out other conditions affecting motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. These tests include:

• Genetic testing: Used to see if there is a genetic background of ALS in your family.
• MRI: While an MRI cannot diagnose ALS, it helps rule out other conditions affecting the spinal cord.
• Nerve conduction study: This test checks how well your nerves send signals to the muscles and helps assess any changes in nerve cells or electrical activity related to ALS.
• Blood test: Used to look for early signs of ALS and rule out other conditions.

Ask your doctor about ALS testing options to determine a diagnosis, especially if you are experiencing muscle weakness or other symptoms of ALS such as difficulty with voluntary muscles. 

What Are the Stages of ALS?

ALS progresses in stages, ranging from early to end-stage, with symptoms becoming more severe over time.

• Early stage: Early signs of ALS can include muscle stiffness, cramping and twitching. In the early stage, ALS can affect one area of the body or a larger region. This stage can occur before a patient is officially diagnosed with ALS. It may be difficult to perform daily tasks during this stage.
• Middle stage: In the middle stages, symptoms from the early stage progress, leading to greater weakness throughout the body. Swallowing and chewing can become increasingly difficult, and feeding tubes may be necessary to ensure proper nutrition.
• Late stage: At this point, most muscles, including those for breathing, may become paralyzed. This can lead to respiratory failure and increased fatigue. Breathing support and a full-time caregiver are often required in this stage. 

What’s My Prognosis for ALS?

ALS is a progressive disease, and early detection is key to managing the symptoms. However, many patients are not diagnosed until later stages. Your doctor may use a staging system to track the progression of the disease. While there is no cure, early interventions and treatments can help slow the decline in function.  

The team at Banner Brain & Spine is here to support you through every step of your ALS journey, including diagnosis and treatment.