National guidelines for ALS genetic testing, counseling published

Researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine have developed and published guidelines for genetic testing and counseling for people living with ALS.

These evidence-based, consensus guidelines provide clinicians with a framework for the offer of genetic testing and outline the information that should be provided to persons with ALS before and after testing. 

In addition, the guidelines provide specific recommendations regarding testing methods and reporting, consequently providing guidance to both clinicians and testing laboratories in navigating the challenges of this technology. The 35 guideline statements were published September 10 in the Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology and include the new recommendation that all persons with ALS be offered comprehensive genetic testing.