A diagnosis of ALS is life-changing. We recommend that every person diagnosed with the disease seek a second opinion. The only way you can begin to accept an ALS diagnosis is to be certain it’s correct and that conditions that look like or mimic ALS are considered and excluded.

In about 10-15% of cases, people get what we call a false-positive. They’re told they have ALS, but, in the end, another disease or condition is discovered to be the real problem.

Conversely, up to 40% of people are told they have another disease, but that diagnosis proves to be wrong, and an ALS diagnosis is eventually confirmed. Our ThinkALS tool was designed to help doctors diagnose ALS and refer patients to ALS treatment centers so soon as possible.

Many conditions can mimic ALS. This type of diagnostic error is called a false-negative.