MtPockets
01-11-2008, 07:47 AM
If you have no idea which tests are normally run to check for ALS/MND'S Then hopefully this information will help.
Nerve Conduction Study:
A nerve conduction study (NCS) is a test commonly used to evaluate the function, especially the ability of electrical conduction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_conduction), of the motor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_nerve) and sensory nerves (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_nerve) of the human body (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_body). Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is a common measurement made during this test. The term NCV often is used to mean the actual test, but this is improper use of the term since velocity is only one measurement out of the entire test.
Nerve (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerve) conduction studies are used mainly for evaluation of paresthesias (numbness (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paresthesia), tingling, burning) and/or weakness of the arms and legs. The type of study is determined by the problem. Some of the common disorders which can be diagnosed by nerve conduction studies.
More information can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerve_conduction_study and also at:
http://www.teleemg.com/new/als1.htm
Electromyography (EMG):
Electromyography (EMG) is a technique for evaluating and recording physiologic properties of muscles at rest and while contracting. EMG is performed using an instrument (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_instrument) called an electromyograph, to produce a record called an electromyogram. An electromyograph detects the electrical potential (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_potential) generated by muscle cells (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_%28biology%29) when these cells contract, and also when the cells are at rest.
To perform intramuscular EMG, a needle electrode (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrode) is inserted through the skin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin) into the muscle tissue. A trained medical professional (most often a physiatrist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physiatrist), neurologist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurologist), or physical therapist) observes the electrical activity while inserting the electrode. The insertional activity (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Insertional_activity&action=edit) provides valuable information about the state of the muscle and its innervating nerve. Normal muscles at rest make certain, normal electrical sounds when the needle is inserted into them. Then the electrical activity when the muscle is at rest is studied. Abnormal spontaneous activity might indicate some nerve and/or muscle damage. Then the patient is asked to contract the muscle smoothly. The shape, size and frequency of the resulting motor unit potentials (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Motor_unit_potential&action=edit) is judged.
More information can be seen at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromyography
Lung Function Test:
Spirometry (meaning the measuring of breath) is the most common of the Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), measuring lung (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lung) function, specifically the measurement of the amount (volume) and/or speed (flow) of air that can be inhaled and exhaled.
More information can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirometry
Most Neurologists will also do a complete blood work up checking for any unusual blood chemistry such as heavy metal poisoning, a spinal tap, MRI, and as a last resort a muscle Biopsy to check for nerve damage to the tissue.
If anyone else has more information about the various tests please add them to this thread, so we can have one thread that covers all of the possible tests for the people who are new to the forum.
There is no single test at this time that will tell you that you definitely have ALS or one of the associated MND's. Basically they determine it by ruling out all other possible diseases that you could have. This is one reason why it takes so long sometimes to get a diagnosis.
I would recommend that if you suspect you may have ALS/PLS/MND of any kind to go to the nearest ALS clinic near you where the Doctors diagnose and treat ALS on a routine basis. They are much better qualified to give you a more accurate answer.
One site where you can locate the nearest ALS Clinic near you can be found at: http://www.alsa.org/ This is the ALS Association.
Another site that may help is the MDA site at: http://www.als-mda.org/clinics/alsserv.html
God Bless
Capt AL
Nerve Conduction Study:
A nerve conduction study (NCS) is a test commonly used to evaluate the function, especially the ability of electrical conduction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_conduction), of the motor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_nerve) and sensory nerves (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_nerve) of the human body (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_body). Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is a common measurement made during this test. The term NCV often is used to mean the actual test, but this is improper use of the term since velocity is only one measurement out of the entire test.
Nerve (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerve) conduction studies are used mainly for evaluation of paresthesias (numbness (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paresthesia), tingling, burning) and/or weakness of the arms and legs. The type of study is determined by the problem. Some of the common disorders which can be diagnosed by nerve conduction studies.
More information can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerve_conduction_study and also at:
http://www.teleemg.com/new/als1.htm
Electromyography (EMG):
Electromyography (EMG) is a technique for evaluating and recording physiologic properties of muscles at rest and while contracting. EMG is performed using an instrument (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_instrument) called an electromyograph, to produce a record called an electromyogram. An electromyograph detects the electrical potential (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_potential) generated by muscle cells (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_%28biology%29) when these cells contract, and also when the cells are at rest.
To perform intramuscular EMG, a needle electrode (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrode) is inserted through the skin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin) into the muscle tissue. A trained medical professional (most often a physiatrist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physiatrist), neurologist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurologist), or physical therapist) observes the electrical activity while inserting the electrode. The insertional activity (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Insertional_activity&action=edit) provides valuable information about the state of the muscle and its innervating nerve. Normal muscles at rest make certain, normal electrical sounds when the needle is inserted into them. Then the electrical activity when the muscle is at rest is studied. Abnormal spontaneous activity might indicate some nerve and/or muscle damage. Then the patient is asked to contract the muscle smoothly. The shape, size and frequency of the resulting motor unit potentials (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Motor_unit_potential&action=edit) is judged.
More information can be seen at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromyography
Lung Function Test:
Spirometry (meaning the measuring of breath) is the most common of the Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), measuring lung (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lung) function, specifically the measurement of the amount (volume) and/or speed (flow) of air that can be inhaled and exhaled.
More information can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirometry
Most Neurologists will also do a complete blood work up checking for any unusual blood chemistry such as heavy metal poisoning, a spinal tap, MRI, and as a last resort a muscle Biopsy to check for nerve damage to the tissue.
If anyone else has more information about the various tests please add them to this thread, so we can have one thread that covers all of the possible tests for the people who are new to the forum.
There is no single test at this time that will tell you that you definitely have ALS or one of the associated MND's. Basically they determine it by ruling out all other possible diseases that you could have. This is one reason why it takes so long sometimes to get a diagnosis.
I would recommend that if you suspect you may have ALS/PLS/MND of any kind to go to the nearest ALS clinic near you where the Doctors diagnose and treat ALS on a routine basis. They are much better qualified to give you a more accurate answer.
One site where you can locate the nearest ALS Clinic near you can be found at: http://www.alsa.org/ This is the ALS Association.
Another site that may help is the MDA site at: http://www.als-mda.org/clinics/alsserv.html
God Bless
Capt AL
