[Scores and stages in neurology]

Neurological scores and stages are helpful for quantifying functional deficits and describing neurological disorders in a standardized way. These assessments may support evidence-based diagnostic or therapeutic decisions-making and accurate evaluation of treatment options. Unfortunately most of the frequently used scores and stages in neurology do not fulfill the quality requirements in respect of reliability, validity and responsiveness (sensitivity, specifity). On the other hand, more valid assessments are often limited by their complexity and high expenditure of time. In addition even complex scores are describing only limited aspects of disorders sometimes mixing different domains of health. Accurate clinical observation and precise narrative description of clinical phenomena and diseases therefore remains an important task in comprehensive recording and presentation or neurological disorders.