Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Progressive supranuclear palsy

Dynamic supranuclear paralysis (PSP) is an exceptional brain disorder that influences development, control of walking (gait) and balance, speech, swallowing, vision, mood and behavior, and thinking. The disorder results from deterioration of cells in areas of your brain that control body movement and thinking. The ailment results from harm to nerve cells in the mind. The disorder’s long name indicates that the disease worsens (progressive) and causes weakness (palsy) by damaging certain parts of the brain above nerve cell bunches called called nuclei (supranuclear).

Researchers are looking for genes that might increase a person’s risk of developing PSP. Scientists are studying gene-environment interaction – in which environmental factors and genetics may contribute to disease susceptibility for many diseases in which there may be genetic influences that differ among families or even in a single family. Investigators are integrating research tools involved with human genetics and disease epidemiology to better understand the joint risk factors that may contribute to the cause of PSP.