Causes, Risk Factors, And Complications Of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Age

Age is the main risk factor researchers have found for progressive supranuclear palsy. It is rare for PSP to develop in any individuals under the sixty, and symptoms usually manifest for the first time in a person's early 60s. That said, there have been cases in which symptoms manifested in people who were still in their 40s or 50s. However, there have not been known cases of the disease occurring in children or young adults.

PSP is a rare disease, and because of this, not a lot is known about the risk factors. It seems it affects men more than women, but there's no conclusive evidence regarding whether this is coincidence or because of scientific reason. About twenty thousand patients have received a PSP diagnosis. However, it's possible the rate of occurrence is higher, and that many cases have been misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease.

Continue reading to reveal if there is a genetic link to progressive supranuclear palsy.

Lack of Genetic Link

There have been rare cases of PSP in which the disease runs in families. Usually, though, cases are isolated incidents rather than cases implying a genetic link. Researchers have failed to uncover any links between progressive supranuclear palsy and a person's lifestyle, occupation, and surroundings. Right now, research is being conducted to find out whether certain genes predispose people to PSP development. The current evidence implies there is a lack of a genetic link.

In rare cases, two people in a family will receive the same diagnosis. But there are not clear or proven genetic links researchers have found. The best way to distinguish between cerebral issues like progressive supranuclear palsy is to use neuroimaging methods rather than family history. If there is a genetic cause of the tau protein abnormality, researchers have not yet isolated the affected gene.

Continue reading to learn more theories on causes.