Knowra Progressive supranuclear palsy Progressive supranuclear palsy Progressive supranuclear palsy is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by impaired eye movements, postural instability, stiffness, and damage to brain regions that control movement. Its symptoms and underlying tau pathology distinguish it from Parkinson’s disease.
Tauopathy : A group of disorders involving abnormal accumulation or processing of tau protein in the brain. Progressive supranuclear palsy is a tauopathy, with abnormal tau accumulating in affected brain cells.
Supranuclear gaze palsy : Impaired voluntary eye movement caused by damage to pathways above the cranial nerve nuclei controlling gaze. Vertical gaze palsy is a characteristic eye-movement finding in progressive supranuclear palsy.
Parkinson's disease : A neurodegenerative disorder commonly associated with bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, and loss of dopamine-producing neurons. Unlike typical Parkinson’s disease, this disorder often causes early falls and vertical gaze impairment.
Movement disorder : A neurological condition that affects the speed, control, or quality of movement. Progressive supranuclear palsy is a movement disorder with both motor and eye-movement symptoms.
John Steele : A Canadian neurologist who co-described progressive supranuclear palsy in 1964. His clinicopathological work helped define the disorder now often called Steele–Richardson–Olszewski syndrome.
Tau protein : A protein that stabilizes microtubules and supports transport within neurons. Abnormal tau is a defining feature of the brain changes in this disorder.
Parkinsonism : A movement syndrome featuring combinations of slowness, rigidity, tremor, and postural impairment. The disorder causes parkinsonism, but its pattern differs from typical Parkinson’s disease.
Multiple system atrophy : A progressive neurodegenerative disorder combining parkinsonism or ataxia with autonomic nervous system failure. Both can cause atypical parkinsonism, but prominent autonomic failure points more toward multiple system atrophy.
Neurological examination : A clinical assessment of nervous-system function, including strength, reflexes, coordination, sensation, and cognition. Eye movements, gait, balance, and rigidity are assessed to support clinical diagnosis.
J. Clifford Richardson : A Canadian neurologist who co-described progressive supranuclear palsy in 1964. He reported the clinical pattern that distinguished this disorder from other forms of parkinsonism.
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