Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative brain disease that has no known cause, treatment or cure. It affects nerve cells that control walking, balance, mobility, vision, speech, and swallowing. Five to six people per 100,000 will develop PSP.
Symptoms begin, on average, when an individual is in the early 60’s, but may start as early as in the 40’s. PSP is slightly more common in men than women, but PSP has no known geographical, occupational or racial preference.
PSP displays a wide range of symptoms including:
- Loss of balance
- Changes in personality such as a loss of interest in ordinary, pleasurable activities, or increased irritability
- Weakness of eye movements, especially in the downward direction
- Weekend movements of the mouth, tongue and throat
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty swallowing