Learn About Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

What is the definition of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy?

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a movement disorder that occurs from damage to certain nerve cells in the brain.

What are the alternative names for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy?

Dementia - nuchal dystonia; Richardson-Steele-Olszewski syndrome; Palsy - progressive supranuclear

What are the causes of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy?

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 60 years old, and is somewhat more common in men.

What are the symptoms of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy?

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
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What are the current treatments for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy?

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.

Who are the top Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Local Doctors?
Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine

County Of Santa Clara

500 Tully Rd, 
San Jose, CA 
 3.0 mi

Sara Pinkel is an Internal Medicine provider in San Jose, California. Dr. Pinkel and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Her top areas of expertise are Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young, Sciatica, and Diabetic Neuropathy.

825 Pollard Rd, Suite 100, 
Los Gatos, CA 
 7.0 mi

Kristin Andruska is a Neurologist in Los Gatos, California. Dr. Andruska has been practicing medicine for over 14 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Her top areas of expertise are Supranuclear Ophthalmoplegia, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Atypical, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and Supranuclear Ocular Palsy.

 
 
 
 
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665 S Knickerbocker Dr, #8, 
Sunnyvale, CA 
 9.8 mi

Andrew Hsu is a Neurologist in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Hsu and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. His top areas of expertise are Supranuclear Ophthalmoplegia, Supranuclear Ocular Palsy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Atypical.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy?

Treatment sometimes can reduce symptoms for a while, but the condition will get worse. Brain function will decline over time. Death commonly occurs in 5 to 7 years.

Newer medicines are being studied to treat this condition.

What are the possible complications of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy?

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
When should I contact a medical professional for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy?

Contact your provider if you often fall, and if you have a stiff neck/body, and vision problems.

Also, call 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.

What are the latest Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Clinical Trials?
A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase 2 Study to Assess the Efficacy, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics of FNP-223 (Oral Formulation) to Slow the Disease Progression of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) (PROSPER)

Summary: PROSPER trial is a trial to assess the efficacy of FNP-223 in slowing disease progression in participants with PSP as measured by the PSP Rating Scale (PSPRS) over 52 weeks and to assess the safety and tolerability of FNP-223 for 52 weeks in participants with PSP.

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The NADAPT Study: a Randomized Double-blind Trial of NAD Replenishment Therapy for Atypical Parkinsonism

Summary: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Multiple system atrophy (MSA) and corticobasal syndrome (CBS) are severe neurodegenerative diseases with rapid progression and no effective treatment. Patients quickly succumb to increasing motor and non-motor symptoms and survival ranges from \ 3 years to \ 10 years. Although PSP, MSA and CBS are rare diseases they constitute a major and mostly unaddressed ch...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: June 13, 2024
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at 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.

What are the references for this article ?

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. Updated November 28, 2023. Accessed June 28, 2024.

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/.