Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Subtle Signs, Not PD: Recognizing Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder often mistaken for Parkinson’s Disease (PD). As an atypical parkinsonism and tauopathy, it affects movement, balance, eye control, and cognition—progressing faster than PD with poor levodopa response. Spotting its unique signs early improves care. CCF Coleen Cunningham Foundation, serving Canada, USA, UK, Australia, and India.

About PSP

  • What It Is: A tau protein disorder damaging brain areas for movement, balance, and eye function.
  • Who It Affects: Onset typically in the 60s (average age 63), no gender preference.
  • Progression: Declines over 5-7 years, with average life expectancy of 6-9 years post-diagnosis.
  • Not PD: Early falls, eye issues, and rapid worsening set PSP apart.

Key Symptoms to Look For

  • Frequent Falls: Backward falls, often within the first year, due to balance loss.
  • Eye Movement Trouble: Difficulty looking up/down (vertical gaze palsy)—blurred vision, trouble reading. Slow or fixed eye tracking, beyond normal aging.
  • Stiffness and Slowness: Rigid movements, little to no tremor, minimal levodopa benefit.
  • Speech and Swallowing Changes: Slurred speech progressing to word-finding issues. Swallowing difficulty (dysphagia), risking choking.
  • Cognitive/Emotional Shifts: Apathy, impulsivity, or uncontrollable laughing/crying (pseudobulbar affect).

Subtle Signs, Not PD

  • “Surprised” Look: Wide-eyed, unblinking stare from reduced blinking—often misread as fatigue.
  • Slight Tilting: Leaning when sitting/standing, unnoticed until falls happen.
  • Unexplained Clumsiness: Dropping things or bumping into objects, brushed off as aging.
  • Emotional Oddities: Flat responses or laughing at sad moments, mistaken for mood issues.
  • Vision Quirks: Misjudging distances or focusing problems, blamed on eyes, not brain.

Why It Matters

PSP isn’t PD—its rapid decline and distinct signs (falls, gaze palsy) demand early recognition. Benefits include:

  • Targeted therapies (physical, speech, occupational).
  • Safety measures (fall prevention, swallowing support).
  • Global support via the CCF Coleen Cunningham Foundation.

Look past PD—these subtle signs could lead to the right diagnosis and better care.

Disclaimer and CCF Contact Info

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. The CCF Coleen Cunningham Foundation does not provide medical services.

Contact Us:

Donorbox Logo Donate