There are no specific tests for the diagnosis of<unk> . Therefore, the diagnosis occurs as the result of eliminating other possible causes of the symptoms and by an extended observation period. Like ALS, diagnosing<unk>  is a diagnosis of exclusion, as there is no one test that can confirm a diagnosis of<unk> . The Pringle Criteria, proposed by Pringle et al, provides a guideline of nine points that, if confirmed, can suggest a diagnosis of<unk> . Due to the fact that a person with ALS may initially present with only upper motor neuron symptoms, indicative of<unk> , one key aspect of the Pringle Criteria is requiring a minimum of three years between symptom onset and symptom diagnosis. When these criteria are met, a diagnosis of<unk>  is highly likely. Other aspects of Pringle Criteria include normal EMG findings, thereby ruling out lower motor neuron involvement that is indicative of ALS, and absence of family history for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) and ALS. Imaging studies to rule out structural or demyelinating lesions may be done as well. Hoffman's sign and Babinski reflex may be present and indicative of upper motor neuron damage.
Primary lateral sclerosis
Juvenile primary lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Surfer's myelopathy
Vascular myelopathy
CMV polyradiculomyelopathy
Tumefactive multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis