Progressive Supranuclear PalsySymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a movement disorder that occurs from damage to certain nerve cells in the brain.
Dementia - nuchal dystonia; Richardson-Steele-Olszewski syndrome; Palsy - progressive supranuclear
PSP is a condition that causes symptoms similar to those of Parkinson disease.
It involves damage to many cells of the brain. Many areas are affected, including the part of the brainstem where cells that control eye movement are located. The area of the brain that controls steadiness when you walk is also affected. The frontal lobes of the brain are also affected, leading to personality changes.
The cause of the damage to the brain cells is unknown. PSP gets worse over time.
People with PSP have deposits in brain tissues that look like those found in people with Alzheimer disease. There is a loss of tissue in most areas of the brain and in some parts of the spinal cord.
The disorder is most often seen in people over age 60 years, and is more common in men.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Loss of balance, repeated falls
- Lunging forward when moving, or fast walking
- Bumping into objects or people
- Changes in expressions of the face
- Deeply lined face
- Eye and vision problems such as different sized pupils, difficulty moving the eyes (supranuclear ophthalmoplegia), lack of control over the eyes, problems keeping the eyes open
- Difficulty swallowing
- Tremors, jaw or face jerks or spasms
- Mild-to-moderate dementia
- Personality changes
- Slow or stiff movements
- Speech difficulties, such as low voice volume, not able to say words clearly, slow speech
- Stiffness and rigid movement in the neck, middle of the body, arms, and legs
The goal of treatment is to control symptoms. There is no known cure for PSP.
Medicines such as levodopa (combined with carbidopa) may be tried. These medicines raise the level of a brain chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is involved in the control of movement. The medicines may reduce some symptoms, such as rigid limbs or slow movements for a time. But they are usually not as effective as they are for Parkinson disease.
Many people with PSP will eventually need around-the-clock care and monitoring as they lose brain functions.
Memory And Aging Center
Adam Boxer is a Neurologist practicing medicine in San Francisco, California. Dr. Boxer is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. He is also highly rated in 21 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Atypical, Supranuclear Ophthalmoplegia, and Corticobasal Degeneration. Dr. Boxer is board certified in American Board Of Psychiatry/Neurology-Psychiatry, Neurology. Dr. Boxer is currently accepting new patients.
Matthias Brendel practices practicing medicine in Munich, Germany. Mr. Brendel is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. He is also highly rated in 22 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Atypical, Supranuclear Ophthalmoplegia, and Dementia.
UChicago Medicine Duchossois Center For Advanced Medicine - Hyde Park
Tao Xie is a Neurologist practicing medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Xie is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. He is also highly rated in 19 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Atypical, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Supranuclear Ophthalmoplegia, Deep Brain Stimulation, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Xie is board certified in Neurology and Practicing Since2010. Dr. Xie is currently accepting new patients.
Treatment sometimes can reduce symptoms for a while, but the condition will get worse. Brain function will decline over time. Death commonly occurs, on average, in 8 years.
Newer medicines are being studied to treat this condition.
Complications of PSP include:
- Blood clot in veins (deep vein thrombosis) due to limited movement
- Injury from falling
- Lack of control over vision
- Loss of brain functions over time
- Pneumonia due to trouble swallowing
- Poor nutrition (malnutrition)
- Side effects from medicines
Contact your provider if you often fall, and if you have a stiff neck or body, and vision problems.
Also, contact the person's provider if a loved one has been diagnosed with PSP and the condition has declined so much that you can no longer care for the person at home.
Summary: This goal of this observational study is to clarify the variations in the natural course of atypical parkinsonian syndromes (APS, including MSA, DLB, PSP, and CBD), such as the progression rate of motor and non-motor symptoms and characteristic imaging evolution patterns. Establish a comprehensive assessment framework for APS, and develop clinical and biological databases to identify biomarkers wi...
Summary: MARKERS-NDD is a prospective, observational, longitudinal study, which aims to collect data from patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) followed longitudinally for routine examinations performed as part of normal clinical practice. Data collected from clinical evaluations, movement analysis, brain imaging, neuropsychological and electroencephalographic assessments, blood chemistry t...
Published Date: May 04, 2026
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Professor of Neurology, Cooper-Inspira Neuroscience, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Jankovic J. Parkinson disease and other movement disorders. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier;2022:chap 96.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/progressive-supranuclear-palsy-psp. Reviewed May 22, 2026. Accessed June 2, 2026.
Ostrem JL, Okun MS. Parkinsonism. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 378.
Rowe JB, Holland N, Rittman T. Progressive supranuclear palsy: diagnosis and management. Pract Neurol. 2021;21(5):376-383. PMID: 34215700 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34215700/.