Compass is still being developed and is effectively in beta. Some content and features may be incomplete, change, or not work as expected.

Content is anchored to trusted sources where available, but Compass has not yet been clinically reviewed. It provides general information rather than medical advice.

Feedback helps us identify gaps, errors, usability problems and opportunities to improve Compass over time.

How Compass is developedGive feedback

Symptoms and clinical language

Progressive bulbar palsy

A form in which speech and swallowing are affected first and most.

What it means

The muscles of the mouth and throat are involved early, so speech and swallowing change before the limbs do. Over time other muscles are usually affected too, and it is generally regarded as a form of ALS/MND rather than a separate condition.

Why you might hear it

  • It may be used to describe where symptoms began.
  • It appears in older sources more than in current ones.

People who may help

Where Compass goes into this

About this explanation

These are plain explanations of words you may come across, not advice about your own situation. Where a word matters to a decision, the question pages go into it properly, and your own team is the place to take it.