title: Effects of the early diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on the patient: advantages.
abstract: Advantages of early diagnoses in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis include validation of symptoms, avoidance of unnecessary procedures, enhanced preparation for disability and medical education. Most importantly, earlier in the course of the disease--while there is a greater motor neuron pool survival--diagnosis would enable earlier treatment intervention.
authors.affiliation: The Forbes Norris MDA/ALS Research Center, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA. diva@cooper.cpmc.org
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gelinas
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life