NINDS Primary Lateral Sclerosis Information Page

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What is Primary Lateral Sclerosis?

Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a rare neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness in the voluntary muscles. PLS belongs to a group of disorders known as motor neuron diseases. Motor neuron diseases develop when the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement degenerate and die, causing weakness in the muscles they control. Onset of PLS usually occurs after age 50. Symptoms may include difficulty with balance, weakness and stiffness in the legs, and clumsiness. Other symptoms may include spasticity (sudden, involuntary muscle spasms) in the hands, feet, or legs; foot dragging, and speech problems due to involvement of the facial muscles. The disorder usually begins in the legs, but it may also start in the tongue or the hands. The disease-which scientists believe is not hereditary-progresses gradually over a number of years, or even decades. In PLS, there is no evidence of the degeneration of spinal motor neurons or muscle wasting (amyotrophy) that occurs in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), which it resembles. Diagnosis of PLS is often delayed because it is mistaken for ALS.

Is there any treatment?

What is the prognosis?

What research is being done?

NIH Patient Recruitment for Primary Lateral Sclerosis Clinical Trials

• At NIH Clinical Center
• Throughout the U.S. and Worldwide

Organizations

Spastic Paraplegia Foundation Spastic Paraplegia Foundation PO Box 1208 Fortson, GA 31808 Phone: 877-773-4483 Email: information@sp-foundation.org www.sp-foundation.org Suite 123 Falls Church, VA   22043 information@sp-foundation.org http://www.sp-foundation.org Tel: 1-877-SPF-GIVE (1-877-773-4483) Fax: 877-SPF-GIVE	ALS Association 27001 Agoura Road Suite 150 Calabasas Hills, CA   91301-5104 advocacy@alsa-national.org http://www.alsa.org Tel: 818-880-9007 800-782-4747 Fax: 818-880-9006
Synapse: A PLS Newsletter 212 Farm Road Sherborn, MA   01770 synapsePLS@comcast.net http://synapsepls.org Tel: 508-653-5246

Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.

Last updated February 14, 2007