Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Primary Lateral Sclerosis is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

• Central Motor Neuron Disease
• PLS

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a rare, neuromuscular disorder that affects the central motor neurons and is characterized by painless but progressive weakness and stiffness of the muscles of the legs. Such weakness may progress to affect the arms and the muscles at the base of the brain (bulbar muscles). Less frequently, the muscles of the face are affected. In most cases, the disorder affects adults during midlife. The exact cause of primary lateral sclerosis is unknown.
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Resources

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association
27001 Agoura Road
Suite 150
Calabasas Hills, CA 91301-5104
USA
Tel: 8188809007
Fax: 8188809006
Tel: 8007824747
TDD: 8185933540
Email: als@alsa-national.org
Internet: http://www.alsa.org

Motor Neurone Disease Association
P.O. Box 246
Northampton, Intl NN1 2PR
United Kingdom
Tel: 44 1604 250505
Fax: 44 1604 624726
Email: enquiries@mndassociation.org
Internet: http://www.mndassociation.org

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
31 Center Drive
8A07
Bethesda, MD 20892-2540
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
Tel: (800)352-9424
Email: braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

Les Turner Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Foundation, Ltd.
5550 W. Touhy Avenue, Suite 302
Skokie, IL 60077
Tel: (847)679-3311
Fax: (847)679-9109
Tel: (888)257-1107
Email: info@lesturnerals.org
Internet: http://www.lesturnerals.org

International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations
P.O. Box 246
Northampton, NN1 2PR
United Kingdom
Email: alliance@alsmndalliance.org
Internet: http://www.alsmndalliance.org/

Connecticut Connection
C/O Dolores Carron
139 Forest Dr
Newington, CT 06111
USA
Tel: 8606669862
Fax: 8606669862
Email: d.carron@worldnet.att.net

Spastic Paraplegia Foundation
7700 Leesburg Pike
Suite 123
Falls Church, VA 22043
USA
Tel: 7034959261
Email: info@sp-foundation.org
Internet: http://sp-foundation.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  8/17/2007
Copyright  1989, 1992, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.