Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a rare neurological disorder that primarily affects the control of gait and balance, and affects an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 older adults in the United States. PSP is caused by a degeneration of nerve cells in the basal ganglia, three clusters of gray matter cells located deep within the brain that are important for the control of movement. As the disease progresses, it can cause additional symptoms, such as difficulty speaking, swallowing, vision problems, and changes in behavior. Early signs of the disorder may include an unsteady gait, such as difficulty standing up from a chair or getting dressed. Slowly, people with PSP may lose the ability to look up or down, remain standing, and/or walk independently, and they may develop postural instability. Over time, individuals may experience speech problems, including slurring words or being unable to find the right words which can lead to difficulty with communication. Vision problems such as double vision or a tendency to look down and to the left are also symptoms associated with PSP. People with PSP may find it difficult to turn their head, walk, and look around as they usually would. Additionally, their vision may be affected in the following ways: loss of depth perception, difficulty judging distances, poor eye-body coordination, difficulty recognizing motion, and difficulty recognizing faces. As the disease progresses, PSP can cause changes in behavior. People may appear less trusting, become more reclusive, and develop dementia-like symptoms. Other emotional changes may include apathy, depression, and irritability. Although much remains unknown about the underlying cause of PSP, current therapies focus on improving quality of life. These therapies, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapies, may be able to help people with PSP perform daily activities, view their environment more comfortably, and communicate more effectively. Additionally, medications for treating various symptoms, such as nausea, slow eye movement, and cognitive impairment, may improve the overall quality of life for PSP patients.