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Updated: Jun 30, 2026
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A Protocol for Comprehensive Assessment of Bulbar Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Published on: February 22, 2011
Measures and markers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Merit Cudkowicz1, Muhammad Qureshi, Jeremy Shefner
1Neurology Clinical Trial Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA. mcudkowicz@partners.org
Summary
Researchers are seeking reliable markers to track Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) progression. Current methods are insufficient for clinical trials due to variability in disease onset and spread, highlighting the need for better outcome measures.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
Background:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease impacting motor neurons.
- ALS presents with variable initial symptoms and spread patterns, complicating patient monitoring.
- Effective clinical trials require sensitive and universally applicable markers of disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the challenges in monitoring ALS progression.
- To highlight the critical need for validated biomarkers in ALS research.
- To discuss the ongoing efforts in developing reliable outcome measures for ALS.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on ALS progression markers.
- Analysis of clinical trial requirements for outcome measures.
- Discussion of various assessment approaches, including functional scales and physiological sampling.
Main Results:
- No single marker currently meets all criteria for biological meaning, sensitivity, prognostic value, and ease of measurement.
- Disease onset and spread variability pose significant challenges for standardized monitoring.
- Progress is being made in developing more effective ALS progression markers.
Conclusions:
- Developing reliable ALS progression markers is crucial for advancing clinical trials and patient care.
- Continued research into diverse methodologies is essential to identify suitable biomarkers.
- Overcoming monitoring difficulties is key to improving therapeutic strategies for ALS.
