Neurology

Acute stroke severity assessment with NIHSS

Acute stroke assessment begins with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), a 15-item neurologic examination that quantifies stroke severity and guides thrombolysis and thrombectomy decisions. An NIHSS score of ≥6 generally warrants consideration for endovascular therapy, while scores <4 suggest mild stroke suitable for observation or medical management.

Consciousness assessment with GCS and FOUR

Consciousness assessment using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is the universal standard for acute brain injury evaluation, with separate eye, verbal, and motor component scores. The FOUR score provides an alternative that includes brainstem reflex and respiratory pattern assessment.

Multiple sclerosis and cognitive impairment monitoring

Multiple sclerosis monitoring uses the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) to track disease progression and treatment response. Cognitive assessment in dementia uses the MoCA, ACE-III, MMSE, and SLUMS, each with validated cutoff scores for MCI and dementia detection across different populations.