Motor neurone disease: assessment and management

Recommendation ID: NG42/2
Question: Cognitive assessment:- What is the impact of assessing for cognitive and behaviour change in people with motor neurone disease (MND) on clinical practice, the person and their family and carers? Does repeated assessment provide more benefit than assessment at a single point at diagnosis?
Any explanatory notes (if applicable): Why this is important:- Clinic-based and population-based studies demonstrate that up to 15% of people with MND have frontotemporal dementia. A further third of people with MND have changes in behaviour and cognition. These impairments are present at diagnosis. Their course during the disease has shown varying patterns between studies although several studies have shown that cognitive and behavioural impairments predict poorer survival and increased carer burden. A randomised controlled trial is needed to assess whether formal assessment at diagnosis and/or repeated assessment improves clinical practice, subsequent care of the person and quality of life for the person, their family and carers.

Source guidance details

Is this a recommendation for the use of a technology only in the context of research?	No
Is it a recommendation that suggests collection of data or the establishment of a register?	No
Last Reviewed	29/02/2016