Pseudobulbar Palsy vs Bulbar Palsy

[Raina]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone knew the difference between Pseudobulbar Palsy and Bulbar Palsy. I know they are both upper motor neurone disorders. I have done a lot of reading on the net, and as far as I can see they are pretty much the same thing.

Thanks
Raina

[cpulord1]

Hi Raina,
I am a medical student, and I just joined these forums to answer your question as I was browsing for ALS information lol

the difference is actually that one is upper motor(pseudo), while the other is lower motor(bulbar). Due to this difference, there are clinical differences as well.
For example, bulbar palsy will have an absent gag reflex as it is LMN and therefore affects the cranial nerves itself, while pseudobulbar will have a brisk reflex (UMN lesions generally give a hyperrefelxive response).
Speech will be slurred and tongue will be contracted with UMN
while speech is husky and tongue will have wasting with LMN

Hope this helps!

[Geo]

OK so what seperates PLS from Pseudo Bulbar Palsey, Especially when a PLSer has Bulbar Symptoms ,are they then PseudoBulbar ,then turning to PLS with Bulbar Symptoms? . My tongue is not contracted so to speak ,but i have Facial and Pharyngeal Muscle Dysfunction . I. E Slurred or slow speech and Mastication issues with chewing the cheeks and or tongue or lips and incoordination with Lower body when walking
or Ataxia . Some PLSers have what they think is Muscle Atrophy ,I personally do not agree . if one has true Atrophy then ,this means true loss of Muscle tissues . when its only a Muscle Dysfunction caused by a UMN Dysfunction ,which in turn causes the muscle or Muscles to Dysfunction when its called upon to work . Geo a PLSer