Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by movement, balance, speech, swallowing, and eye movement difficulties, alongside other symptoms. It presents with various clinical variants linked to tau protein accumulation and neuronal loss in specific brain regions. Despite symptom variability, PSP consistently exhibits tau pathology and is classified among atypical Parkinsonian syndromes, causing significant physical and cognitive impairments that can lead to heightened mortality without proper management.

Managing PSP requires a multidisciplinary team approach for optimal patient outcomes. This entails accurate diagnosis, differentiation from similar disorders, and comprehensive management involving symptomatic and experimental therapies. Typical treatments include physical therapy for motor symptoms, GABAergic medications, and ongoing research into tau-targeting disease-modifying therapies. Early recognition and structured, interdisciplinary care play pivotal roles in enhancing the quality of life of patients’ with PSP.

Reference: Agarwal S, Gilbert R. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Updated March 27, 2023. Accessed April 25, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526098/