A rapid screening battery to identify frontal dysfunction in patients with ALS. Journal   Neurology. Citation   Neurology. 67(11):2070-2 Publication date   2006 Dec 12 Authors   Flaherty-Craig C Eslinger P Stephens B Simmons Z Investigators   Paul N. Eslinger Zachary Simmons MeSH headings   Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Cognition Disorders Mass Screening MeSH qualifiers   psychology diagnosis methods Abstract   We studied the relationship between verbal associative fluency, verbal abstract reasoning, and judgment in ALS using a 20-minute screening evaluation. Deficiencies in these measures were found in 20.0%, 18.6%, and 35.7% of patients with limb-onset ALS and in 37.5%, 25.0%, and 60.0% of patients with bulbar-onset ALS. This simple screen identifies deficits that affect discussions of treatment interventions and end-of-life issues.