Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy causes loss of movement control in
certain body parts. It is similar to Parkinson’s but it differs from
Parkinson’s in that it mainly affects loss of eye control, rigidity in
muscles, and loss of balance in walking. It occurs much less frequently
than Parkinson’s and is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s or
Alzheimer’s.
This is a disease that most commonly starts in age sixty or later,
but it can begin earlier. The first symptom is usually inability to
lift the eyelids upward. The drop in the eyelids which is present in
palsy is the source of its name. The disease progresses speedily after
the first symptoms, proceeding to degeneration of the brain’s basal
ganglia and brain cells. The cause is no known and there is no cure,
but drugs similar to ones used it Parkinson’s will help with relief and
slowing its progress. There is much research being done with hope
for effective treatment and some encouraging results.
