Re: ALS and PLS differences

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/1/2002 9:27:04 PM Eastern Standard Time,

grammyflanagan@... writes:

<wondering if anyone can tell me the differance between ALS and PLS. I know that

one is upper and the other is lower neron.>

Hi Shirley,

I am not a doctor, but I am very active in the patient community - organizing

and attending conferences and managing communications.

PLS and ALS can look similar in the beginning, so that's why initial diagnosis

is hard. Doctors and patients have to wait and see how serious the symptoms

become and how rapidly they develop/progress. There is no easy test,

unfortunately.

The hallmark of ALS is that it is rapidly progressive. On the other hand, PLS

usually progresses at a slow pace and is confined to walking, throat, and arm

difficulty. My prayers go to you and your husband and anyone in this

time-waiting limbo land. We thought at first my mother had ALS...fortunately,

she did not.

By the way, PLS does not become or " turn into " ALS. They are different

degenerative neurological disorders.

In PLS, the degeneration occurs along the upper motor nerves' axons (which run

down the spinal cord). Symptoms occur as a result of where the degeneration

occurs. At higher points, " higher " parts of the body are affected - voice.

Degeneration along the middle area affects arms, and in the lower section the

legs. That's why the other upper motor nerve disorder hereditary (and sporadic)

spastic paraparesis pretty much only affects only the legs - most of the

degeneration occurs at the end of the nerve's axon (although there are some

complicated forms as well).

In ALS, degeneration occurs in both the upper motor nerve and the lower motor

nerve. The upper motor nerve connects to the lower motor nerve which sends the

message out to the body. Since both upper and lower motor nerves are involved,

there is a much greater degree of loss of movement and paralysis throughout the

body.

Shirley, you were curious about the differences in severity in PLS you observe

here. It's important to know that there can be variability from one person to

the next. There are lifestyle and other factors at play that have an effect on

symptoms.

My best wishes to you. I believe advancements made in treatment/cure for one

type of spinal cord or brain disorder could help others. There is a lot of

exciting work being done, and we have a patient community army at work to help

them. Have faith. I do.

Kathi