What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate changes in prescription patterns leading up to ALS diagnosis over several years.

March 13, 2026Annals of Neurology2 citations

Distinct Prescription Patterns Emerge Years Before ALS Diagnosis: A Nationwide Registry‐Based Study

MSMagne SolheimHaukeland University Hospital TRTrond RiiseUniversity of Bergen MCMarianna CorteseHarvard University

Key Points

To investigate changes in prescription patterns leading up to ALS diagnosis over several years.
Analyzed nationwide registry data
Monitored prescription patterns over 6 years prior to ALS diagnosis
Compared medication use trends in final year before diagnosis
Prescription pattern changes were noted as early as 6 years before diagnosis.
A significant increase in medication use was observed in the year leading to diagnosis.
Findings support the existence of a prodromal phase before clinical ALS symptoms appear.

Abstract

Prescription pattern changes occurred as early as 6 years before ALS diagnosis. These findings are consistent with a prodromal phase preceding the clinical stage of ALS, which may last several years. In contrast, the broad increase in medication use during the final year before diagnosis likely reflects increased health care utilization as patients seek treatment for the various emerging symptoms of the clinically manifest disease. ANN NEUROL 2026.

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