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A novel tool to detect behavioural symptoms in ALS
Eneida Mioshi1, Sharpley Hsieh, Jashelle Caga
1Neuroscience Research Australia , Sydney , Australia.
Summary
A new tool, the Motor Neuron Disease Behavioural Instrument (MiND-B), effectively detects behavioral changes in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients. This instrument aids in identifying non-motor symptoms and adapting patient care.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Behavioral Science
- Clinical Assessment
Background:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) often presents with behavioral changes that impact patient management.
- There is a need for a validated, sensitive, and concise instrument to quantify these behavioral symptoms in clinical and research settings.
Observation:
- The study developed and validated the Motor Neuron Disease Behavioural Instrument (MiND-B).
- Common behavioral symptoms in ALS, including apathy, disinhibition, and stereotypical behavior, were identified.
- The MiND-B demonstrated the ability to detect 'ALS plus' patients, indicating co-occurring cognitive or behavioral impairments.
Findings:
- The MiND-B was developed using a data-driven approach and validated on independent samples.
- Apathy (75%), disinhibition (66%), and stereotypical behavior (58%) were highly prevalent in the studied ALS population.
- The instrument successfully identified 'ALS plus' patients without requiring traditional cognitive assessments.
Implications:
- The MiND-B provides a reliable method for assessing non-motor symptoms in ALS patients through informant-based questioning.
- This tool can assist ALS centers in evaluating behavioral changes and tailoring patient management strategies.
- Longitudinal assessment over six months using the MiND-B is feasible for tracking symptom progression.
