Symptoms Of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Diagnosing PSP

Diagnosing a person with progressive supranuclear palsy can be quite difficult, as its symptoms are incredibly similar to other movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, and some of the common symptoms develop in later stages or not at all. There are no specific laboratory tests or imaging that can diagnose this condition. An initial diagnosis is generally based on the individual’s medical history and a physical and neurological exam. Diagnostic scans, such as magnetic resonance imaging, may show shrinkage at the top of the brain stem and degeneration, along with other imaging tests that look at brain activity. Unfortunately, PSP is often misdiagnosed as it is quite rare and mimics many of the symptoms of other neurological conditions. The best way to diagnose PSP is by identifying early gait instability and difficulty moving the eyes, speech and swallowing abnormalities, as well as ruling out Parkinson’s disease and other similar disorders.