Treatment

There are no treatments to prevent, stop or reverse primary lateral sclerosis. Treatment, which focuses on relieving symptoms and preserving function, can include the following options.

Medication

Your doctor might prescribe medication to relieve symptoms:

• Muscle spasms (spasticity). Spasticity may be relieved by medications such as, baclofen, tizanidine (Zanaflex) or clonazepam (Klonopin). These medications are taken by mouth.

  If your spasticity isn't controlled with oral medication, your doctor might recommend surgically implanting a medication pump to deliver baclofen directly to your spinal fluid (intrathecal baclofen).

• Emotional changes. If you have frequent, rapid and intense shifts in emotions, your doctor might prescribe antidepressants.
• Drooling. Drooling may be helped by amitriptyline or other drugs.

Physical and occupational therapies

Stretching and strengthening exercises can help maintain muscle strength, flexibility and range of motion and prevent joint immobility.

Speech and language therapy

If your facial muscles are affected by PLS, speech therapy might help with communication and swallowing.

Nutrition support

If you experience difficulty with chewing and swallowing that make eating difficult, a nutritionist can offer diet tips, nutritional supplements or special feeding methods to help maintain your body weight.

Assistive devices

As PLS progresses, physical or occupational therapists may evaluate you periodically to determine whether you need assistive devices, such as a brace, cane, walker or wheelchair. Assistive technology devices may help with communication.