Overview

What is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)?

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a degenerative brain disorder that leads to progressive problems with movement, stiffness, and balance. It often also causes problems with speech, swallowing, vision, mood and behavior, and thinking.

Approximately 20,000 Americans have PSP-making it the second most common degenerative cause of parkinsonism (the combination of stiffness, slowness, tremors and balance problems) after Parkinson's disease. Symptoms of PSP begin on average after age 60, and men are affected slightly more than women.