Progressive supranuclear palsy
Definition
Progressive supranuclear palsy is a movement disorder caused by damage to certain nerve cells in the brain.
Alternative Names
Dementia-nuchal dystonia; Richardson-Steele-Olszewski syndrome; Palsy - progressive supranuclearCauses
Progressive supranuclear palsy is a condition that causes symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease.
It involves damage to many cells of the brain. The covering of certain nerve cells (myelin sheath) is destroyed. Entire nerves may be damaged in some areas. The cause of the damage to the brain cells is unknown. The disease gets worse over time (degenerative).
People with this condition have deposits in brain tissues that look like those found in patients with Alzheimer's disease. There is a loss of tissue in most areas of the brain.
The disorder is most often seen in people over 60 years old, and is somewhat more common in men.
References
Goetz CG. Goetz: Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2007.
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