Lunch ’n Learn: ALS – Time is Motor Neurons

Faculty(s)

• AG

  Angela Genge
• PD

  Priya Dhawan

ALS is the most common cause of neurological death in Canada.

Clinical heterogeneity of ALS at presentation with complex underlying pathophysiology makes definitive diagnosis challenging. People living with ALS see on average 3 physicians before their ALS diagnosis. For the ~3000 people living with ALS in Canada, approximately 1/3 of their disease course is spent searching for a diagnosis (with a mean time to diagnosis of up to 24 months).

Early diagnosis is essential to improving patient care, avoiding unnecessary procedures and specialist referrals. With promising newly approved therapies now available in Canada to slow disease progression, improving time to diagnosis and access to Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT) care will improve clinical outcomes in this terminal disease.

Delayed referral for people with ALS may also make them not qualify for these important standard of care treatments and/or clinical trials due to disease progression.

The referALS tool provides critical information to Community Neurologists (CN) to refer to a CALS network as soon as ALS is suspected and prior to completion of diagnostic testing which will shorten the path to diagnosis.

This program was developed by the CNSF and Amylyx and was planned to achieve scientific integrity, objectivity and balance. It is an unaccredited learning activity and not eligible for MOC credits.

Presentations:

• 12:15 PM – 12:20 PM MST

  Introduction and Objectives - Review Canada’s urgent, unmet medical need in ALS
  

  Faculty: Angela Genge
• 12:20 PM – 12:50 PM MST

  Complexity of ALS Pathophysiology and Diagnosis. Understand how early recognition of the signs, symptoms and clinical features of ALS can reduce diagnostic and referral delays. Impact of delayed vs earlier referral – real life referral scenario. Explore the benefits of early engagement in ALS MDT care. Introduction of the referALS tool.
  

  Faculty: Angela Genge
• 12:50 PM – 1:25 PM MST

  Role of CN in recognizing signs and clinical features of ALS to decrease diagnostic delay and referral for MDT care. Introduction of the referALS tool. Red flags that prompt immediate referral and others that warrant consideration. Referral guidance – when and how to refer, what tests to order. IMPORTANCE of referring before you are sure.
  

  Faculty: Priya Dhawan
• 1:25 PM – 1:45 PM MST

  Discussion