Clinical care and therapeutic trials in PLS

Abstract

Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is an extremely rare central nervous system degenerative disorder characterized by slowly progressive upper motor neuron loss leading to severe limb and bulbar dysfunction and disability. Although not necessarily life-shortening, PLS disease burden is substantial and improved symptomatic treatments are a major unmet need, especially for the often refractory spasticity that is a core feature of the syndrome. In Section 1, we describe clinical care needs and emphasize a highly personalized approach that can be best attained through multidisciplinary management. In Section 2, we describe progress in clinical trials in PLS that includes advances in symptomatic treatment, disease-modifying therapy, and emerging innovative trials.

Keywords:

• PLS
• Review
• Supplement
• Care and management
• Clinical trials

Acknowledgements

Dr. Mary Kay Floeter received Intramural Program support from NINDS, NIH.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.