Can PSP be misdiagnosed?

PSP often is misdiagnosed because some symptoms are very much like those of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and more rare neuro-degenerative disorders, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

What diseases mimic PSP?

The accumulation of tau puts PSP in the group of disorders called the tauopathies, which includes Alzheimer's disease, corticobasal degeneration, and some forms of frontotemporal degeneration.

Does PSP show up on an MRI?

MRI scans can also detect changes to the brain that are consistent with a diagnosis of PSP, such as shrinkage of certain areas. Scans that show the build-up of the tau protein in the brain that's associated with PSP are currently under development.

What is the most common cause of supranuclear palsy?

What causes PSP? 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.

How quickly does PSP progress?

PSP typically progresses to death in 5 to 7 years,¹ with Richardson syndrome having the fastest rate of progression.

Current challenges in PSP management

What personality changes occur with PSP?

Eye problems, such as keeping eye contact with another person, will get worse. PSP can also affect a person's ability to speak, and their voice may become soft and weak. Mood and behavior changes may occur. People with PSP may become irritable, forgetful, or depressed, and they may become less interested in things.

What are the symptoms of advanced stage PSP?

What are the 4 stages of PSP?

What is the life expectancy of someone with supranuclear palsy?

What is the life expectancy of someone with progressive supranuclear palsy? People with progressive supranuclear palsy typically die six to nine years after their diagnosis. But this can vary. PSP symptoms increase your risk of developing pneumonia, which can be fatal.

What celebrity has supranuclear palsy?

A re-evaluation in late 2019 changed her diagnosis to the rare brain disorder, progressive supranuclear palsyopens in a new tab or window (PSP). Ronstadt told Cooper that her illness has had a major impact on her life: "Everything becomes a challenge.

Do PSP patients feel pain?

Pain was reported in 58 PD patients (89%), 17 MSA patients (81%), and four PSP patients (25%) (P < 0.01).

Does stress cause PSP?

PSP patients were found to be three times more likely to report high exposure to highly stressful events than controls. This suggests that these highly stressful events may have a role in the etiopathogenesis of PSP.

Are PSP patients in pain?

Pain can be present as a direct result of PSP, or as part of any other conditions that you are experiencing.

What medication is used for progressive supranuclear palsy?

Medication. There are currently no medications that treat PSP specifically, but some people in the early stages of the condition may benefit from taking levodopa, amantadine or other medications used to treat Parkinson's disease.

Is PSP a form of ALS?

In contrast, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is not regarded as a phenotype of PSP. The co-occurrence of PSP and ALS has recently attracted greater attention. The phenotypic coexistence of PSP and ALS has been documented in several cases [7,8,9].

How rare is PSP disease?

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare brain disorder that causes dementia and problems with walking and balance. About 20,000 Americans — or one in every 100,000 people over age 60 — have PSP.

What is the longest someone has lived with PSP?

The life span from diagnosis is anywhere from a few years to seven years. Of course, some people live longer than seven years.

What happens in the last stages of PSP?

Advanced stages

As PSP progresses to an advanced stage, people with the condition normally begin to experience increasing difficulties controlling the muscles of their mouth, throat and tongue. Speech may become increasingly slow and slurred, making it harder to understand.

Do PSP patients sleep a lot?

Poor sleep is common with PSP. It takes longer for patients to fall asleep, and they wake more frequently during the night, resulting in a shorter time asleep. Neuroanatomical areas affected in PSP are also the same areas of the brain that house the sleep/wake regulation system.

What are the traits of PSP?

As originally described, PSP was characterized by progressive supranuclear ophthalmoplegia, gait disorder and postural instability, dysarthria, dysphagia, rigidity, and frontal cognitive disturbance [1].

Do PSP patients have dementia?

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a condition that causes both dementia and problems with movement. It is a progressive condition that mainly affects people aged over 60. The word 'supranuclear' refers to the parts of the brain just above the nerve cells that control eye movement.

What does end stage PSP look like?

The final stages of PSP are usually dominated by an increasingly severe dysarthria and dysphagia. These features are usually described as being part of a pseudo-bulbar palsy, as brisk jaw and facial jerks may be present.

Does PSP run in families?

Most cases of progressive supranuclear palsy are sporadic, which means they occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family. However, some people with this disorder have had family members with related conditions, such as parkinsonism and a loss of intellectual functions (dementia).

Can you drive if you have PSP?

Loss of strength, slower reaction time, lack of concentration, vision problems may arise. Driving can become more hazardous. If members of your family suggest that you should stop driving you should take heed.

How long does advanced stage of PSP last?

The advanced stage typically spans years 3-6.