Progressive supranuclear palsy

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Central nervous system

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

• Repeated falls
• Loss of coordination , unsteady gait (walking pattern)
• Stiffness and rigid movement in the neck, middle of the body, arms, legs
• Difficulty swallowing
• May have a tremor
• Pain or difficulty with bending the neck up or down
• Slow or stiff movements
• Vision difficulty -- unable to look up or down without bending the neck
• Changes in facial expression
• Deeply lined face
• Jaw or face jerks or spasms
• Eyes, pupils different size
• Eye movements, uncontrollable
• Generalized slowness of all movement (bradykinesia)
• Speech difficulties
  • Slow speech
  • Poor enunciation
  • Low voice volume
• Dementia , mild
  • Forgetfulness
  • Slowed thought processes
  • Apathy (indifference)
  • Difficulty manipulating knowledge
• Personality changes (vague and mild)

A neurological examination may show Parkinsonian movements with typical stiffness and lack of coordination. Dementia is mild. Eye movements are limited. However, vision, hearing, sensation, and voluntary control of movement remain normal.

Tests may be done to rule out other diseases. An MRI might show shrinking of the brainstem.

Review Date: 08/26/2006
Reviewed By: Gail A. Kang, M.D., San Francisco VA Parkinson's Disease Research, Education, & Clinical Center, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.