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ALS Diagnosis

  • About
  • About
Overview
Symptoms
Causes and Types
  • Sporadic ALS
  • Familial ALS
  • Guamanian ALS
Diagnosis
  • Muscle and/or nerve biopsy
  • Spinal tap
  • X-ray
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Electrodiagnostic tests
Treatment
Overview
Symptoms
Causes and Types
  • Sporadic ALS
  • Familial ALS
  • Guamanian ALS
Diagnosis
  • Muscle and/or nerve biopsy
  • Spinal tap
  • X-ray
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Electrodiagnostic tests
Treatment

Diagnosing ALS at Stanford

At Stanford, our experienced subspecialist doctors focus on recognizing the subtle, early signs of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which gives them an advantage in determining when to order further testing earlier in the diagnosis process.

Diagnosing ALS may involve:

  • Complete medical history and physical examination
  • Electrodiagnostic tests (EMG/NCS): Our neuromuscular neurologists assess muscle and nerve function using a machine that measures electrical signals in individual muscles and nerves. Learn more about electromyography.
  • Laboratory tests: Tests may be performed to check your blood and urine for heavy metals, proteins, vitamins, etc.
  • Imaging studies: Your doctor may want you to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Learn more about MRI.
  • Lumbar puncture: Also called a spinal tap, this test examines your spinal fluid for abnormalities. Learn more about spinal tap.
  • Biopsy: Muscle and nerve cells are examined under a microscope.
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Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.

Open Trials Closed Trials
Protocol CY 4031: A Phase 3, Multi-National, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Stratified, Parallel Group, Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of Tiramsemtiv in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
BrainGate2: Feasibility Study of an Intracortical Neural Interface System for Persons With Tetraplegia Spinal Cord Injury, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
A Study to Evaluate the Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Biodistribution of an Imaging Agent, 18F-OP-801 (18F Hydroxyl Dendrimer) in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Healthy Volunteers (HV) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Humanitarian Device Exemption Post-Approval Study of NeuRx Diaphragm Pacing System for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
A Study to Explore the Safety and Tolerability of Acthar in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Diaphragm Pacing System (DPS) In Participants With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
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