What has caused My psp

[stalbans]

Diagnosed in March this year

[Kathy]

Hi Stalbans,

Sadly there is no answer to this question!! No-one really knows what causes PSP. If we knew what caused it we might come closer to finding a cure.

I hope you have some good support around you as you come to terms with your diagnosis. The PSP Association (in the UK) have an excellent website with lots of information. As a sufferer it is free to join the association. Here is the link to the website

pspassociation.org.uk

Best wishes

Kathy

[Hidden]

As Kathy has answered, there is no authenticated cause for PSP and it's often called a sporadic disease (even though there is some loose connection with genetics, and some rare instances of toxin induced PSP).

Like many neurological diseases of its type (even Alzheimer's) it commences some 15-25 years before symptoms appear. While the cause is not known, we do know some of the events in the brain that cause the death of neurons (associated with PSP). There are certain proteins that become "abnormal" and things then go very wrong, with the protein tangling up and the body cannot get rid of the tangled protein. When it goes wrong it is believed it causes the neurons(and other brain cells) to die.

There is no treatment for PSP, so medications are used to help alleviate symptoms.

Hope this helps a little. There's lots of info as Kathy mentioned, but use your doctors and neurologist for your concerns and you can use this forum where you'll find lots of people who will share their experiences.

All the best.

[Hidden]

Could I ask strelley have you got medical training cos you seem so knowledgeble which is extremely useful.

Where did you find the info about PSP STARTING 15-20years before symptoms appear ?

[jimandsharynp]

Unfortunately no known cause for PSP. Maybe with research they will find the cause. It's been around since 1969 or 1960s. That's when it was noted by doctors.

Jimbo