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Is progressive supranuclear palsy the same as ALS?
Progressive supranuclear palsy also can affect a person’s behavior and their ability to think normally. “It’s relatively rare,” Dr. Boeve says. “It’s about the same prevalence as Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).”
What does supranuclear mean?
Supranuclear refers to the region of the brain affected by the disorder — the section above 2 small areas called nuclei. Palsy is a disorder that results in weakness of certain muscles.
What is the difference between MLS and ALS?
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, while ALS is hereditary in 1 out of 10 people due to a mutated protein. MS has more mental impairment and ALS has more physical impairment. Late stage MS rarely is debilitating or fatal, while ALS is completely debilitating leading to paralysis and death.
How long can you live with progressive supranuclear palsy?
With good care and attention to medical needs, nutritional needs, and safety, a person with PSP can live many years. The typical lifespan from the first appearance of symptoms is about 6-10 years. The main causes of death are infections and breathing problems.
Is PSP worse than Parkinsons?
On average, PSP gets worse quicker than Parkinson’s and doesn’t respond as well to medications. People with Parkinson’s usually bend forward, while people with PSP stand very straight, or even slightly backwards. Problems with swallowing and with speaking appear early with PSP and they are far more severe.
What are the last stages of PSP?
The final stages of PSP are usually dominated by an increasingly severe dysarthria and dysphagia. These features are usually described as being part of a pseudo-bulbar palsy, as brisk jaw and facial jerks may be present.
Is PSP a form of dementia?
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a condition that causes both dementia and problems with movement. It is a progressive condition that mainly affects people aged over 60. The word ‘supranuclear’ refers to the parts of the brain just above the nerve cells that control eye movement.
PSP is often confused with Parkinson’s due to the similarity of symptoms, particularly stiffness, bradykinesia and movement difficulties. Both PSP and Parkinson’s cause parkinsonism – a combination of stiffness, slowness and clumsiness. This is why PSP may be difficult to distinguish from Parkinson’s early on.