Abstract Details

Title Development of a Tool for Community Deployment That Detects ALS and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases

Topic General Neurology

Presentation(s) P8 - Poster Session 8 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 2-005

Objective To develop a tool for early detection of neurodegenerative diseases that can be self administered

Background Better identification of at-risk individuals and care access for racial and ethnic minorities is needed for Neurodegenerative Diseases (NDDs) including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS), Alzheimer's Disease(AD) and Parkinson's Disease(PD). There are currently no widely accepted, effective, rapid, and easily-administered screening tools that can be deployed into the community and enable early disease detection when treatments may be most effective.

Design/Methods The Neurodegenerative Disease Assessment (NDA) Tool was designed as a short electronic survey with three sets of 4-6 questions regarding possible symptoms for each of the three NDDs (ALS, AD, or PD). This survey was self-administered followed by administration by health care professionals at community settings and health clinics. For those participants answering positively in any of the three sections, a focused physical examination was performed and if suggestive of disease, the participant was referred for a complete neurologic evaluation.

Results 35 participants (aged 18-85) completed the self and professional-administered NDA tool. 69% had identical results between administrations. The difference between administrations was not statistically significant among all participants (t= -1.9272, p = 0.06234) and among the subset with non-identical results (t=-2.0066 p = 0.06097). Mismatches were related to shaking and gait(PD,55%), daily tasks and unusual behaviors(AD,55%), and weakness and pseudobulbar affect(ALS,31%). False positivity was highest (89%) with self-administration of AD questions. Physical exam positivity was 31.7% more likely in participants with identical results.

Conclusions

The NDA tool produces similar results with user and healthcare professional administration and holds promise for self-administration. Further research is necessary to optimize the survey questions to avoid false positive screening. We will then be able to determine which positive responses are most predictive of actual disease, enabling the development of a weighted score that can be used for appropriate referral to specialty care.

Authors/Disclosures
Priya Nigam, MD PRESENTER	Miss Nigam has nothing to disclose.
Kaitlyn Naughton, Student	Miss Naughton has nothing to disclose.
Valeria Castro-Ariza	Ms. Castro-Ariza has nothing to disclose.
Nadia Mansoor	Ms. Mansoor has nothing to disclose.
Latoya Weaver, Clinical Concierge Coordinator	Ms. Weaver has nothing to disclose.
Luisa I. Enriquez, Social Worker	Miss Enriquez has nothing to disclose.
Molly C. Cincotta, MD (Temple University)	Dr. Cincotta has nothing to disclose.
Terry D. Heiman-Patterson, MD (Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine)	Dr. Heiman-Patterson has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for MTPA. Dr. Heiman-Patterson has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Amylyx. Dr. Heiman-Patterson has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Consultant for novartis. Dr. Heiman-Patterson has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for biogen. The institution of Dr. Heiman-Patterson has received research support from MTPA. The institution of Dr. Heiman-Patterson has received research support from State of Pennsylvania . The institution of Dr. Heiman-Patterson has received research support from ALS Association. The institution of Dr. Heiman-Patterson has received research support from ALS United. The institution of Dr. Heiman-Patterson has received research support from ALS Hope Foundation.

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