Neurológia pre prax 6/2016

Primary lateral sclerosis

Primary lateral sclerosis is a degenerative disease characterized by loss of motoneurons in precentral cortical region. Progressive spastic paresis with maximum of lower extremities, then of bulbar region, trunk and lesser of upper extremities is the most common clinical sydrome. A difficult spastic gait, dysarthria and dysphagia are characteristic symptoms. Differential diagnosis is very important, especially against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which has substantially worse prognosis. Decrease of spasticity, influence of dysphagia, dysarthria, and rehabilitation are the most important therapeutic measures of these severly affected patients.

Keywords: primary lateral sclerosis, spastic paraparesis, dysarthria, dysphagia, motor evoked potentials, EMG