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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffYour doctor diagnoses progressive supranuclear palsy by identifying the disorder's key signs — problems with balance and walking and difficulty moving your eyes, particularly downward — and ruling out other similar disorders.
Progressive supranuclear palsy can be difficult to diagnose because some signs and symptoms, such as stiffness, movement difficulties, and changes in mood or personality, are similar to those of Parkinson's disease and dementia. In fact, because of its similarity to Parkinson's disease, it's considered a "parkinsonism-plus syndrome."
Indications that you have progressive supranuclear palsy rather than Parkinson's disease include a lack of shaking (tremors) and a poor response to Parkinson's medications.
Though a diagnosis can be made through this evaluation process, currently the only definitive way to determine whether a person has progressive supranuclear palsy is through a brain autopsy. Studies are ongoing to develop medical tests that can help diagnose progressive supranuclear palsy.
- NINDS progressive supranuclear palsy information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/psp/psp_htm?css=print. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
- Progressive supranuclear palsy fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/psp/detail_psp.htm?css=print. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
- Karceski S. Progressive supranuclear palsy. Neurology. 2008;71:e70.
- Borroni B, et al. Tau forms in CSF as a reliable biomarker for progressive supranuclear palsy. Neurology. 2008;71:1796.
- PSP: Some answers. Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. http://www.psp.org/doc_library/1217970611/Some%20Answers.pdf. Accessed Jan.18, 2009.
- Treatments for progressive supranuclear palsy. Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders. http://www.wemove.org/psp/psp_tre.html. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
- Josephs KA, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of progressive supranuclear palsy in the Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy brain bank. Movement Disorders. 2003;18:1018.
- Josephs, KA. (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 21, 2009.
