Progressive supranuclear palsy

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare brain condition that affects body movements such as walking, balance, and eye function. PSP is caused by damage to nerve cells in areas of the brain that control and coordinate movement. This results in gradual weakness or paralysis of the affected muscles. PSP is considered one of several atypical parkinsonism disorders, which have some similar characteristics to Parkinson’s disease, but represent different conditions.

At Penn Medicine’s Movement Disorders Center, you’ll receive care from neurologists who specialize in neuromotor and motor control conditions, like PSP. They work alongside a multidisciplinary team that includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and neuro-ophthalmologists who create treatment plans to help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

While exact causes of PSP are not known, people with progressive supranuclear palsy often have higher amounts of a protein called tau in the brain, which damages nerve cells. This protein also occurs in other conditions characterized by nerve damage in the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease and types of dementia. Researchers aren’t sure what causes higher tau levels.

While PSP does not typically run in families, there’s a possibility that gene changes also play a role in developing the disease.

While there’s no cure for PSP, there are medications, therapies, and other treatments to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. These include:

• Eye treatments: Botulinum toxin injections may improve vision by reducing excessive eye closing and abnormal eye movements. Eye drops and artificial tears can treat dry eyes due to decreased blinking. Wraparound sunglasses can help people with PSP who are sensitive to bright light.
• Oral medications: Some medications used to treat Parkinson's disease may help treat slow movements, stiffness, and balance problems, but they often have short-lived effects.
• Rehabilitative therapies: Physical therapy may help prevent falls and improve balance. Occupational therapy can help improve the ability to perform daily tasks. Speech therapy may provide targeted treatments for swallowing and speech difficulties to reduce the risk of aspiration and improve communication.
• Palliative care: This specialized care provides medical, social, and emotional support for people with PSP and their caregivers as symptoms progress. Palliative care enables people with PSP to live more comfortably.

The CurePSP Foundation has designated Penn Medicine as a CurePSP Center of Care in recognition of our specialized treatment options, research, and support for people with PSP. Through our Movement Disorders Center, you’ll have access to the most advanced therapies and techniques to diagnose and treat this rare neurological condition. We continually strive to be at the forefront of researching PSP’s causes and treatments, so we can offer the most effective and compassionate care plans for those living with PSP.