Differential diagnosis of motoneurone disease from other neurological conditions.

Analysis of 422 patients with clinical diagnoses of motoneurone disease (MND), multiple sclerosis, cervical spondylosis with myelopathy, or stroke, from two referral centres, suggested a simple four-step algorithm for diagnosing MND. The algorithm provided a 98% sensitivity (true positive diagnosis) and 86% specificity, and therefore gives a baseline for diagnostic criteria suitable for use in clinical research of MND.