PSP, Progressive supranuclear palsy entities

Clinic

PSP is a late-onset degenerative disease involving the gradual deterioration and death of specific volumes of the brain. The condition leads to symptoms including loss of balance, slowing of movement, difficulty moving the eyes, and cognitive impairment. PSP may be mistaken for other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's. The cause of the condition is uncertain, but involves accumulation of tau protein within the brain. Medications such as levodopa and amantadine may be useful in some cases.

PSP affects about six people per 100,000. The first symptoms typically occur at 60–70 years of age. Males are slightly more likely to be affected than females. No association has been found between PSP and any particular race, location, or occupation.

Signs and symptoms

Initial symptoms	Behavioural symptoms
Loss of balance 66% Lunging forward when mobilizing 66% Fast walking 66% Bumping into objects or people, and falls 66% Dementia 20% Changes in personality General slowing of movement Visual symptoms.	Apathy Disinhibition Anxiety Dysphoria	Dementia (typically including loss of inhibition and ability to organize information) Slurring of speech Difficulty swallowing Ophthalmoparesis: Difficulty moving the eyes esp in vertical direction (difficult to look up or down) Poor eyelid function Contracture of the facial muscles Vackward tilt of the head with stiffening of the neck muscles Sleep disruption Urinary incontinence Constipation Loss of cognitive function