Primary Lateral Sclerosis: Difference between revisions

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'''Original Editor '''- [http://www.physio-pedia.com/User:John-Carlo_Caballes John-Carlo Caballes], [http://www.physio-pedia.com/User:David_Castro David Castro], [http://www.physio-pedia.com/User:Alana_Griffith Alana Griffith], [http://www.physio-pedia.com/User:Joyce_Tan Joyce Tan], [http://www.physio-pedia.com/User:Joanne_Van Joanne Van]
'''Original Editor '''- [http://www.physio-pedia.com/User:John-Carlo_Caballes John-Carlo Caballes], [http://www.physio-pedia.com/User:David_Castro David Castro], [http://www.physio-pedia.com/User:Alana_Griffith Alana Griffith], [http://www.physio-pedia.com/User:Joyce_Tan Joyce Tan], [http://www.physio-pedia.com/User:Joanne_Van Joanne Van]  


'''Lead Editors''' &nbsp;  
'''Lead Editors''' &nbsp;  
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PLS is due to upper motor neuron (UMN) degeneration, and therefore clinical presentation is consistent with signs and symptoms of an UMN disorder in the absence of lower motor neuron (LMN) symptoms<ref name="statland et al." />. These include;  
PLS is due to upper motor neuron (UMN) degeneration, and therefore clinical presentation is consistent with signs and symptoms of an UMN disorder in the absence of lower motor neuron (LMN) symptoms<ref name="statland et al." />. These include;  


*Spasticity
*Spasticity  
*Hyperreflexia
*Hyperreflexia  
*Weakness
*Weakness


Other key features include stiffness and increasing difficulty maintaining balance with the progression of the disorder. PLS may affect the bulbar region in the medulla, causing degeneration to the lower cranial nerves<ref name="statland et al." />. Bulbar signs and symptoms include;
Other key features include stiffness and increasing difficulty maintaining balance with the progression of the disorder. PLS may affect the bulbar region in the medulla, causing degeneration to the lower cranial nerves<ref name="statland et al." />. Bulbar signs and symptoms include;  


*Dysphagia
*Dysphagia  
*Dysarthria
*Dysarthria  
*Pseudobulbar affect/ emotional lability
*Pseudobulbar affect/ emotional lability


PLS is classified as slowly progressive. The typical pattern of progression is spreading from side to side, region to region<ref name="statland et al." />. It may start in the bulbar region and descend down to the limbs, or it may start in the lower extremities, progress to arms, and then bulbar region. Symptoms spread slowly over many years before plateauing<ref name="statland et al." />. <br><br>
PLS is classified as slowly progressive. The typical pattern of progression is spreading from side to side, region to region<ref name="statland et al." />. It may start in the bulbar region and descend down to the limbs, or it may start in the lower extremities, progress to arms, and then bulbar region. Symptoms spread slowly over many years before plateauing<ref name="statland et al." />. <br><br>  


== Prognosis  ==
== Prognosis  ==
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*Physical therapy
*Physical therapy


Ultimately, patients are best managed in a multidisciplinary motor neuron disease clinic where the various potential symptoms of primary lateral sclerosis could be comprehensively addressed <ref name="singer et al." />. <br>
Ultimately, patients are best managed in a multidisciplinary motor neuron disease clinic where the various potential symptoms of primary lateral sclerosis could be comprehensively addressed <ref name="singer et al." />. <br>  


== Differential Diagnosis<br>  ==
== Differential Diagnosis<br>  ==
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== References<br>  ==
== References<br>  ==


<references />
<references />  
 
[[Category:Queen's University Neuromotor Function Project]]

Revision as of 14:35, 6 May 2017

Original Editor - John-Carlo Caballes, David Castro, Alana Griffith, Joyce Tan, Joanne Van

Lead Editors  

Definition / Description
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Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) is characterized as being a rare, non-hereditary, idiopathic, slow, and progressive degeneration of the upper motor neurons[1]. PLS lies on a continuum of sporadic motor neuron disorders. This spectrum includes other disorders such as progressive muscular atrophy, which involves only lower motor neurons, as well as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), characterized by both upper and lower motor neuron involvement. Many patients diagnosed with PLS continue to have high levels of independence for many years[2].

Clinically Relevant Anatomy[edit | edit source]

add text here relating to clinically relevant anatomy of the condition

Epidemiology[3][edit | edit source]

  • Approximately 2-5% of adults in neuromuscular clinics will be diagnosed with PLS.
  • The age of onset is approximately 50 years and older, though a juvenile form of PLS has been described as well.
  • Although the difference is not pronounced, there is a slight male predominance over females in being diagnosed with PLS.

Etiology[edit | edit source]

The exact cause of adult-onset PLS remains unknown[3]. PLS is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that individuals are diagnosed with the condition when their progressive upper motor neuron dysfunctions cannot be explained by any other possible cause.

Mechanism of Injury / Pathological Process
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add text here relating to the mechanism of injury and/or pathology of the condition

Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]

PLS is due to upper motor neuron (UMN) degeneration, and therefore clinical presentation is consistent with signs and symptoms of an UMN disorder in the absence of lower motor neuron (LMN) symptoms[1]. These include;

  • Spasticity
  • Hyperreflexia
  • Weakness

Other key features include stiffness and increasing difficulty maintaining balance with the progression of the disorder. PLS may affect the bulbar region in the medulla, causing degeneration to the lower cranial nerves[1]. Bulbar signs and symptoms include;

  • Dysphagia
  • Dysarthria
  • Pseudobulbar affect/ emotional lability

PLS is classified as slowly progressive. The typical pattern of progression is spreading from side to side, region to region[1]. It may start in the bulbar region and descend down to the limbs, or it may start in the lower extremities, progress to arms, and then bulbar region. Symptoms spread slowly over many years before plateauing[1].

Prognosis[edit | edit source]

A distinctive clinical feature of PLS is that it has a very slow progression, leading it to be considered to have a more benign prognosis in comparison to ALS[3]. The longevity of individuals with PLS is unclear, but it has been estimated to be 7.9 years or longer. Individuals with PLS and minimal EMG changes appear to have a decreased ability to ambulate independently in comparison to those without EMG changes. Nonetheless, patients may still be able to ambulate without aids after several years of being diagnosed. It is common for patients to be diagnosed with PLS but later diagnosed with ALS instead. Due to their similar course of progression, misdiagnosis can occur. A detailed spectrum of PLS categories have been detailed[3][2].

Diagnostic Procedures[edit | edit source]

add text here relating to diagnostic tests for the condition

Outcome Measures[edit | edit source]

add links to outcome measures here (see Outcome Measures Database)

Management / Interventions
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Physical Therapy[edit | edit source]

Medical / Surgical[edit | edit source]

Currently, there is no cure for primary lateral sclerosis. Therefore, treatment primarily focuses on relieving symptoms and preserving function. Depending on the patient’s presentation, treatments may include the following[1]:

  • Oral medications such as balcofen, dantrolene, and tizanadine for muscle spasticity
  • Surgically implanted balcofen pump
  • Anticholinergic medication or botulism toxin injections for drooling
  • Feeding tube for dysphagia
  • Assistive devices such as walkers or wheelchairs for gait impairments
  • Physical therapy

Ultimately, patients are best managed in a multidisciplinary motor neuron disease clinic where the various potential symptoms of primary lateral sclerosis could be comprehensively addressed [3].

Differential Diagnosis
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add text here relating to the differential diagnosis of this condition

Key Evidence[edit | edit source]

add text here relating to key evidence with regards to any of the above headings

Resources
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add appropriate resources here

Case Studies[edit | edit source]

add links to case studies here (case studies should be added on new pages using the case study template)

Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]

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References
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  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Statland, JM, Barohn, RJ, Dimachkie, MM, Floeter, MK, Mitsumoto, H. Primary lateral sclerosis. Neurol Clin. 2015 Nov;33(4):749-60. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26515619 doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2015.07.007
  2. 2.0 2.1 Gordon, PH, Cheng, B, Katz, IB, Pinto, M, Hays, AP, Mitsumoto, H, Rowland, LP. The natural history of primary lateral sclerosis. Neurology. 2006 Mar;66(5):647-53. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000200962.94777.71
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Singer, MA, Statland, JM, Wolfe, GI, Barohn, RJ. Primary lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve. 2007 Jan;35(3):291-302. doi: 10.1002/mus.20728