What are the symptoms of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)?
The symptoms of progressive supranuclear palsy vary from person to person. They tend to begin gradually and typically become more severe over years.
The most common first signs of PSP include:
- A loss of balance when walking or climbing stairs. This often involves falling, especially falling backward.
- Difficulty looking downward with your eyes.
- A wide-eyed staring expression.
Other symptoms of PSP include:
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Stiff muscles that affect mobility (your ability to move).
- Difficulty speaking. Your speech might be quieter and slurred, making it hard to pronounce words.
- Mood changes, such as depression, apathy (loss of interest) and irritability.
- Personality changes.
- Changes in behavior, such as impulsivity and poor judgment.
- Dementia.
- Insomnia.
- REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD).
- Sensitivity to bright light (photophobia).
What causes progressive supranuclear palsy?
Scientists don’t know the exact cause of progressive supranuclear palsy. However, experts know that a protein called tau is involved. Tau is an important protein for brain health. It helps preserve the normal structure of neurons (brain cells).
When you have PSP, the tau in your brain clumps together (aggregates). The clumps then damage neurons. Researchers have several theories for why this might happen, some of which include:
- Random genetic mutations.
- Unknown infectious agents.
- An unknown chemical in the air, water or your food that slowly damages certain vulnerable areas of your brain.
PSP affects everyone differently. It impacts various parts of your brain to varying degrees at different stages. Eventually, PSP will spread to most of your brain. The condition tends to affect your basal ganglia and brainstem early and more severely.
Your brainstem is responsible for a large number of vital functions, including your ability to swallow and hold your body steady (your posture). Your basal ganglia also help with posture, as well as eye movements, thinking and emotions.
Is PSP hereditary?
No, PSP rarely runs in families. If you have PSP, there’s very little additional risk of your other family members having it. That includes your biological siblings and children.
What are the risk factors for progressive supranuclear palsy?
The main risk factor for PSP is age. Your risk for developing PSP increases as you age if you’re 60 or older. Men and people assigned male at birth are slightly more likely to get PSP than women and people assigned female at birth.
Advertisem*nt
What are the complications of PSP?
As PSP progresses to an advanced stage, people with the condition typically have increasing trouble controlling the muscles in their mouths, throats and tongues.
The loss of control of your throat muscles can lead to severe swallowing problems, and you may need a feeding tube to prevent choking and chest infections.
Many people with PSP also develop problems with bowel and bladder functions, including:
- Constipation.
- Difficulty passing urine.
- Frequent urination during the night.
- Bowel incontinence.
- Urinary incontinence.
