Definition of PLS

[LouLou]

Could someone explain what the 3 words mean in "Primary Lateral Sclerosis"? I always see the medical definition but to explain it to family and friends gets confusing to me. (Where does the "primary" come in and the "lateral")? Just when I think I understand it, I forget again. I forgot to ask my doctor last month when I was there.

Thanks,
LouLou

From a medical dictionary online:

(′prī′mer·ē ′lad·ə·rəl sklə′rō·səs)
(medicine) A sclerotic disease of the crossed pyramidal tracts of the spinal cord, characterized by paralysis of the limbs, with rigidity, increased tendon reflexes, and absence of sensory and nutritive disorders. Also known as lateral sclerosis.

 

[Al]

Primary lateral Sclerosis is a disorder of the upper
motor neurons. The degeneration of these upper
motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, which
control voluntary movements, cause disabling
spasticity and weakness. As the muscles are not
directly affected, there is no wasting or
fasciculation’s (rippling effect under the skin), with
this condition. There are also lower motor neurons
in the body, but these are unaffected by primary
lateral sclerosis

 

[Zaphoon]

Someone spank me if this is too off the wall:

PLS: Primary Lateral Sclerosis - a disease (as Al posted) of the upper motor neurons in the brain and brain stem that communicate to the lower motor neurons in the spinal cord that innervate the muscles.

So, the nerve pathway coming from the brain that sends messages to your muscles first involves primary motor neurons in your brain that attempt to relay the message from the brain on down to the lower motor neurons that connect to muscles.

In PLS, the motor nerve pathway from the brain to the muscles gets disturbed because upper motor neurons are dying. Some people experience constant spasticity of some muscle groups because the switch to turn the muscles on and off gets stuck in the "on" position. The message is getting delivered but it is degraded.

In ALS, both upper and motor neurons die and eventually, the muscles stop receiving messages because the lower motor nerve pathway gets totally shot. Hence, the brain is no longer to communicate to muscles.

At least in PLS, the message (or a message) gets to the brain.

This, at least, is how I see it.

 

[olly]

primary.......of chief importance
lateral......relating to/situated to the side
sclerosis......degeneration of....in pls upper motor neurons.
all together.........degeneration of the upper motor neurons in grey matter of brain and side of pyramidal tract of spinal cord.

 

[johnnyliverpool1]

now u is in the right place olly..o.......couldnt get better advice anywere than off u three .......really enjoyed those words of wisdom......the message is getting delivered but is degraded....and theres the rub, by what and why.........hanks, johnny

 

[LouLou]

Thanks for your replies and further explanations. It has helped alot.

Now I need to know the difference between spasms, twitches, and fasiculations!

Blessings to All...
LouLou

 

[Whitetiger]

I was diagnosed with Pls two months ago. I have fasciculations but they are benign.

 

[notme]

Spasms are like mega-cramps. Fasciculations are little twitches under the skin -- lots of time not even felt --but observed (At least in my case--doc pointed them out to me when he saw them in my hands) Twitches are more noticed. Think of fascis as just one fiber of a muscle and a twitch as an entire muscle.

For me--my spasms in my legs are a sensation of painful stiffness and tightness--best way I can describe it. Don't know what I have--but doc found spasticity in my legs.

 

[johnnyliverpool1]

definition....no known cause...no know cure...call it what you like...neuro..............

 

[notme]

Yeah, that's about right, Johnny! I'm naming what I have WHOTHEF**KKNOWS til I get a better definition I call what I have the Can'ts

1. can't write
2. can't walk without falling
3. can't sit without back pain
4. can't type without hand mega-spasms/cramps
5. can't breathe and walk at the same time
6. can't use voice computer thingies because I don't talk plainly enough
7. can't curl my hair or clip my own nails

Yup--I have "CAN'T Disease" Welcome to my club

 

[Brother Rock]

Yeah, that's about right, Johnny! I'm naming what I have WHOTHEF**KKNOWS til I get a better definition I call what I have the Can'ts

1. can't write
2. can't walk without falling
3. can't sit without back pain
4. can't type without hand mega-spasms/cramps
5. can't breathe and walk at the same time
6. can't use voice computer thingies because I don't talk plainly enough
7. can't curl my hair or clip my own nails

Yup--I have "CAN'T Disease" Welcome to my club

And all the specialist in the world:

A. Can't figure out what causes it
B. Can't figure out a test or process to confirm it
C. Can't find and effective counter to our symptoms
D, Can't help us much :?: