Progressive supranuclear palsy

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Central nervous system

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Progressive supranuclear palsy

Alternative Names:

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

Treatment:

Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms. There is no known cure for progressive supranuclear palsy. Levodopa and anticholinergic medications may provide temporary reduction of symptoms.

These are not as effective as in Parkinson's disease, however. Around-the-clock care and monitoring are eventually required because of progressive loss of brain functions.

Expectations (prognosis):

Treatment sometimes provides temporary reduction of symptoms, but the disorder inevitably progresses. There is a steady decline of brain function, with death commonly occurring in 5 to 7 years.

Complications:

Total inability to control gaze
Progressive loss of brain functions
Debilitation
- Malnutrition
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in veins)
- Pneumonia (chest infection)
- Decubiti
Side effects of levodopa and anticholinergic medications

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if frequent falls accompanied by stiff neck/body and vision difficulties occur.

Also, call if progressive supranuclear palsy has been diagnosed and the condition declines to a point when it is not possible to care for the person in the home.

Review Date: 7/20/2004
Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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