Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS)

The ECAS is a brief multidomain assessment originally designed for people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS/Motor Neurone Disease) but is also useful in other neurodegenerative disorders.

It makes cognitive assessment fast and accessible and can be undertaken by a health care professional in the clinic or in a patient’s home.

The ECAS was designed by Sharon Abrahams, Thomas Bak and Judy Newton.

Cognitive and/or behavioural changes are present in up to 50% of people living with ALS/MND and are also common in other neurodegenerative disorders (Goldstein & Abrahams, 2013).

In the video below, Prof Sharon Abrahams outlines the nature and extent of the changes in cognition and behaviour in ALS/MND [recorded during Prof Abrahams’ inaugural lecture, University of Edinburgh, 28th Oct 2015].