Progressive Supranuclear Palsy is a very rare neurological disorder that often affects the elderly. This disorder affects the human body’s movements including walking, balance, and even the movement of the eye. This disorder is often mistaken at first sight with Parkinson’s disease. Although they have similar symptoms, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) usually begins in a person's mid to late 60s. This is later than when symptoms of Parkinson’s disease develop. PSP is known for a rapid decline in a person’s physical capability and serious injuries and complications can arise such as pneumonia, choking, or head injuries from falls due to PSP. Now, let's dive even deeper to understand this disorder.What is PSP?PSP affects one's movement, and ultimately leads to symptoms such as loss of balance, difficulty in walking or swallowing, speech difficulty, and issues with eye movement. PSP may also affect a person's behavior, and mood, as well as the way they think. Oftentimes the first symptoms that arise are things like unexplained and frequent falls as well as feeling stiffness and or slowing movement.Primary Symptoms of PSPFrequent and unexplained fallingLoss of balanceEye problems which can result in symptoms such as:Decreased or slowed eye movement Having trouble looking up and/or downDifficulty controlling eyelid Moving their head instead of moving their eyes to look in different directions.Change in mood or behavior. Often times families can notice symptoms such as: Depression, lack of motivation Different judgment Difficulty finding words Becoming forgetful Loss of interests in activities that they enjoyed Easily irritable Sudden change of emotions such as laughing, crying, anger, etc. Change within personalitySlowed speechDifficulty swallowingIssues concerning sleepPSP versus Parkinson’s diseaseAgain, PSP is often confused with Parkinson’s disease, and reaching the correct diagnosis may take a very long time. Although sharing many symptoms, a major difference is the speed of the disorder’s progression. People with PSP often fall since they tend to lean backwards and extend their neck. This contrasts to people with Parkinson’s who lean forward. Also, difficulty in speech and swallowing are more severe in PSP and show up quite earlier than in Parkinson’s.TreatmentCurrently, there is no treatment that is deemed effective towards PSP. PSP typically does not respond well to medications. Oftentimes people with PSP pass away due to symptoms such as pneumonia, trouble swallowing, or injuries from falling.Works Cited"Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/progressive-supranuclear-palsy-psp. Accessed 25 June 2024.“Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.” Ucsfhealth.Org, www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/progressive-supranuclear-palsy. Accessed 25 June 2024.
