Multidisciplinary clinics: optimizing treatment for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Abstract

SUMMARY Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is an incurable, lethal neurodegenerative disease. The majority of patients die from respiratory failure within 2–5 years after symptom onset. Recent studies show a paradigm shift in the method of delivering a number of effective treatments through an emerging network of multidisciplinary clinics. This article focuses on the role played by these clinics in raising the standard-of-care for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Although newly developed treatments are still underutilized, substantial progress is being made by multidisciplinary clinics, which play a pivotal role in coordinating access to effective therapeutics.