Progressive supranuclear palsy
Overview
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare neurological condition that can cause problems with balance, movement, vision, speech and swallowing.
Symptoms
The symptoms of PSP usually get worse over time. At first, they can be similar to some other conditions, which makes it difficult to diagnose early on. Some of the main symptoms of PSP include: problems with balance and mobility, including frequentfallschanges in behaviour, such as irritability or apathy (lack of interest)muscle stiffnessan inability to control eye and eyelid movement, including focusing on specific objects or looking up or down at somethingslow, quiet or slurred speechdifficulty swallowing (dysphagia)slowness of thought and some memory problems The rate at which the symptoms progress can vary widely from person to person. Read more about thesymptoms of PSP.
Causes
PSP occurs when brain cells in certain parts of the brain are damaged as a result of a build-up of a protein called tau. Tau occurs naturally in the brain and is usually broken down before it reaches high levels. In people with PSP, it isn't broken down properly and forms harmful clumps in brain cells. The amount of abnormal tau in the brain can vary among people with PSP, as can the location of these clumps. This means the condition can have a wide range of symptoms. The condition has been linked to changes in certain genes, but these genetic faults aren't inherited and the risk to other family members, including the children or siblings of someone with PSP, is very low.
Treatment
There's currently no cure for PSP, but research is continuing into new treatments that aim to relieve symptoms and slow down the progression of the condition. Treatment currently focuses on relieving the symptoms while trying to make sure someone with PSP has the best possible quality of life. As someone with PSP can be affected in many different ways, treatment and care is provided by a team of health and social care professionals working together. Treatment will be tailored to meet the needs of each individual and may include: medication to improve stiffness and other symptomsphysiotherapy to help with movement and balance difficultiesspeech and language therapy to help with speech or swallowing problemsoccupational therapy to help improve the skills needed for daily activitiesBotox (botulinum toxin injections) or special glasses to help with eye problemsfeeding tubes to help manage dysphagia and avoidmalnutritionordehydration Read more abouthow PSP is treated.