Question 1

what is primary lateral sclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Variation of ALS: Motor neuron disease or ALS presents in several variable forms, and is a disease of motor neuron degeneration in brain and spinal cord.  In the primary lateral sclerosis variant (only 1-3% of all cases), the disorder affects the upper motor neuron only, and is focal on one side or the other.  By definition, this form would be far less malignant.

Question 2

primary lateral sclerosis only 1 side, is this normal?

Accepted Answer

Not unexpected: Not surprising but this may not stay unilateral, or this may be the ultimate outcome.  Motor neuron disorders vary in expression, but require attentive followup with a neuromuscular specialist on an ongoing basis.  Riluzole may be of value.

Question 3

what is the definition or description of: primary lateral sclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Variation of ALS: Motor neuron disease or ALS presents in several variable forms, and is a disease of motor neuron degeneration in brain and spinal cord.  In the primary lateral sclerosis variant (only 1-3% of all cases), the disorder affects the upper motor neuron only, and is focal on one side or the other.  By definition, this form would be far less malignant.

Question 4

what exactly is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Lou Gehrig's disease: Als is a disease affecting the nerve cell body, causes weakness, muscle wasting, and fasciculations or fluttering of the muscles.  It can affect mobility, swallowing, and breathing.  There is no known cure to date, and the prognosis is often very poor.  We believe it is a disorder of "misfolded proteins", similar in some ways to alzheimer's and parkinson's, but a far rarer condition, fortunately.

Question 5

can you tell me if emg tests can be normal with primary lateral sclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Would be unlikely: If motor neuron disease exists, and could be in form of primary lateral sclerosis, there will usually be some degree of EMG pathology.  A fully normal EMG would tend to rule against a diagnosis of any kind of motor neuron disease, but early on, findings might be very minimal and the test might need repetition in several months.

Question 6

who first discovered amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Charcot: The French Neurologist Charcot is credited with the paper describing ALS as a distinct illness

Question 7

what are the tests for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Diagnosis: Since we hope to find alternative problems instead of als, we search for possible other diagnoses.  The testing includes blood studies, especially for hyperthyroidism, MRI tests of the neck and spinal cord, EMG studies, and even muscle biopsies on occasion.

Question 8

what sort of problem is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Lou Gehrig's: Als also known as lou gehrig's disease is a disease of nerves. It is a progressive loss of muscle strength. Initial symptoms are usually muscle weakness or cramps followed by muscle paralysis in later stages. Difficulty breathing and swallowing are common due to the muscle weakness. There is no cure but there are medications to help with symptom management.

Question 9

how is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis transmitted in humans?

Accepted Answer

It is not transmitte: It is not typically a heriditary or infectious disease. No one knows the exact cause.

Question 10

hi doctors, was just wondering what is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Lou Gehrig's disease: Als is a very nasty uncurable disease involving the motor neuron in brain and spinal cord, usually arising in middle to later years of life.  It results in a steady deterioration of muscle, with atrophy and fasciculations, possibly eventuating in loss of ability to swallow and breathe.  The sole medication on the market which may modestly help is riluzole.

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Anterior lateral sclerosis

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What is primary lateral sclerosis?

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Primary lateral sclerosis only 1 side, is this normal?

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What is the definition or description of: primary lateral sclerosis?

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What exactly is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

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Can you tell me if emg tests can be normal with primary lateral sclerosis?

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Who first discovered amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

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What are the tests for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

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What sort of problem is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

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How is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis transmitted in humans?

A member asked:

Hi doctors, was just wondering what is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

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