Causes, Risk Factors, And Complications Of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Deterioration Of Brain Cells

The more the tau deposits accumulate, the more a person will experience deterioration of brain cells. This disease is progressive, meaning it continually worsens over time. The exact symptoms individuals experience will vary depending on the location of the tau deposits. Different areas of the brain affect different aspects of the mind and body.

As the brain cells continue to deteriorate, patients will experience any number of neurological symptoms. They might have difficulty moving their eyes and walking. Overall, their motor function might seem stiff and awkward, and there are often speech impairments. This covers the inability to speak at an average rate without pauses, but it also pertains to the inability to understand or put together sentences.

Another part of brain cell deterioration is a lack of emotional control or awareness. Individuals may swing wildly from one mood to the next with no apparent reason for the switch. They may also lash out in anger or become withdrawn and mask-like. The exact emotional behaviors will vary depending on the type of destruction done to the brain, along with the severity of that destruction.

Continue reading to learn about the age-related risk factor.