Progressive Bulbar Palsy

Progressive bulbar palsy (also known simply as PBP) is a medical condition. It belongs to a group of disorders known as motor neuron diseases (Lapiedra 2002). PBP is a disease that attacks the nerves supplying the bulbar muscles. These disorders are characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons in the cerebral cortex, spinal cord, brain stem, and pyramidal tracts. This specifically involves the glossopharyngeal nerve (IX), vagus nerve (X), and hypoglossal nerve (XII) (Hughes 1998).

This disorder should not be confused with pseudobulbar palsy or progressive spinal muscular atrophy (Hughes 1998). The term Infantile progressive bulbar palsy is used to describe progressive bulbar palsy in children.

Some neurologists consider this disorder to be a subset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but others disagree with that classification.

Read more about Progressive Bulbar Palsy:  Origin, Epidemiology, Etiology, Symptoms, Treatment, See Also

Famous quotes containing the words progressive and/or palsy:

    There is, I think, no point in the philosophy of progressive education which is sounder than its emphasis upon the importance of the participation of the learner in the formation of the purposes which direct his activities in the learning process, just as there is no defect in traditional education greater than its failure to secure the active cooperation of the pupil in construction of the purposes involved in his studying.
    John Dewey (1859–1952)

    All conservatives are such from personal defects. They have been effeminated by position or nature, born halt and blind, through luxury of their parents, and can only, like invalids, act on the defensive. But strong natures, backwoodsmen, New Hampshire giants, Napoleons, Burkes, Broughams, Websters, Kossuths, are inevitable patriots, until their life ebbs, and their defects and gout, palsy and money, warp them.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)