Progressive supranuclear palsy

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Central nervous system

Progressive supranuclear palsy is a movement disorder caused by damage to certain nerve cells in the brain.

Dementia-nuchal dystonia; Richardson-Steele-Olszewski syndrome; Palsy - progressive supranuclear

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.

Review Date: 02/06/2008
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, MD, Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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