Longitudinal assessment of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Screen (ECAS): lack of practice effect in ALS patients?

<i>Objective</i>: The study objective was to assess whether controls and ALS patients show a practice effect in the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS) on repeated longitudinal testing and if the ECAS detects progression of cognitive or behavioural changes over time. <i>Methods</i>: The ECAS was administered serially to ALS patients (<i>n</i> = 24 after six months, <i>n</i> = 10 after 12–18 months) and controls (<i>n</i> = 21 after six months). The ECAS was fully performed by all participants. For comparison purposes the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) was administered to a subgroup of 14 patients and 14 controls. <i>Results</i>: After six months controls showed a significantly higher overall score (<i>p</i> Conclusions: In conclusion, in contrast to healthy controls, ALS patients show no practice effects. This could reflect ‘pre-symptomatic’ cognitive decline and progressive behavioural symptoms.