Are you looking to connect with others who have been diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)?
PSP is a condition that's sometimes mistaken for Parkinson's because many symptoms overlap, like slowed movements and stiffness. However, there are some key differences that set PSP apart.
PSP typically appears in Show Full Answer
Are you looking to connect with others who have been diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)?
PSP is a condition that's sometimes mistaken for Parkinson's because many symptoms overlap, like slowed movements and stiffness. However, there are some key differences that set PSP apart.
PSP typically appears in people in their early 60s and is caused by clumps of tau protein building up in specific parts of the brain. This leads to a slow loss of neurons.
The most distinctive symptoms of PSP include:
* Difficulty moving eyes up or down, leading to blurry vision and trouble reading
* Loss of balance with a tendency to fall backward (rather than forward like in Parkinson's)
* Posture that causes leaning backward
* Speech and swallowing difficulties that appear earlier and are often more severe than in Parkinson's
* Walking difficulties
* Memory problems and difficulty processing thoughts
PSP symptoms usually worsen at a faster rate than Parkinson's. Most people develop severe disabilities within three to five years of diagnosis. Resting tremors, which are common in Parkinson's, are rare in PSP.
Unfortunately, people with PSP typically don't respond well to Parkinson's medications. With treatment, a person with PSP may live about 10 years after diagnosis.
It's worth noting that some well-known figures like Reverend Jesse Jackson and singer Linda Ronstadt were initially diagnosed with Parkinson's but later learned they actually had PSP, highlighting how complex diagnosis can be.
January 9
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