Is primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) a “real” ALS?

PLS is a progression variant of ALS and is therefore a “true” ALS. PLS and typical ALS are largely identical on a pathological level: all forms of ALS, including PLS, show ALS-characteristic deposits of proteins (mostly TDP-43). Key features of the clinical course (progressive nature and asymmetrical distribution of motor symptoms) are also the same in PLS as in typical ALS.