MRI SCAN AND PSP

May I ask you, if you know from MRI scans what the size of midbrain is with psp? My dads is 8 mm and i am worried :((

[Kevin_1]

Hi Steff

I'm sorry I don't know.

Many of us go through a disbelief stage where we crosscheck and recheck. That's fine and long may we do it!

I would be inclined to accept what your neurologist has said. The little I know of MRI scans (Google PSP MRI scans to see pictures) is that one can see 'shrinkage'. That is there is a space around the affected part which it used to occupy. So maybe the actual size is less important?

There is a lot of work going on to find biomarkers so that diagnosis of CBD and PSP can be more definitive. Currently MRI scans; looking for slow saccades (slowed eye movements) and a number of other presentations are what the neurologist has to go on. All put together they seem to make quite an assured picture.

Until those biomarkers are found the current state is that the only way to be sure about the diagnosis is through post mortem brain examination.

Here is a list of what you might see in your Dad.

pspassociation.org.uk/infor...

I remember being very frightened of the diagnosis when we first had it. As you will see from the threads here the diagnosis is not the end. There is most often a lot of good life yet to be had.

I do hope this helps.

Wishing yo both the best

Warmly

Kevin

PS - Do keep coming back here with any doubts and questions... There are many here who have a lot of knowledge and experience. Together we make some sense

[Satt2015 in reply to Kevin_1]

Wow Kevin your sooooo clever! 😆 x

[Kevin_1 in reply to Satt2015]

Stop it Amanda! - You know I get embarrassed - Naughty! 😘

xxxx

[raincitygirl in reply to Kevin_1]

Man I'd love to have seen you two together at the London meetup...I'll bet that would be.fun 😉

[Kevin_1 in reply to raincitygirl]

Totally fun!

She is a wonderful and completely on the ball lady. (getting my own back 😼)

I try to hide

[Hidden in reply to Kevin_1]

Thank you so much for this

[Hidden in reply to Kevin_1]

Thank you

[Karynleitner]

I checked my husbands report, but not much help. It mentioned his midbrain was somewhat smaller then would be exspected, but gave no measurement that I saw. The doctor also explained that most brains show some shrinkage as we get into out 80’s, but my husband was only 68. The report also lists deterioration from mild to moderate on both sides of the frontal lobe.

This all makes me think of Kevin mentioning how many of behavior is basted on the disease. I can understand that with the changes in the brain.

[Hidden in reply to Karynleitner]

Thank you very much for this