A diagnostic test for ALS could finally be on its way
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis could soon be diagnosed from a muscle biopsy thanks to a possible diagnostic biomarker that’s been identified in muscle tissue.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disease of the nervous system, which causes motor neurons to deteriorate and eventually die, leading to a loss of muscle control. Current treatment for ALS is only able to slow its progression, so it’s important to be able to diagnose the condition as soon as possible. However, there is currently no single diagnostic test for ALS and there are also no known biomarkers. Instead, doctors will look for neurological symptoms, including muscle weakness, and carry out tests to rule out other conditions like cervical spondylosis, which has similar symptoms to ALS including loss of coordination.