Can PSP be contracted?

[Botto]

I’m wondering if spouses can contract PSP from one another? Never see anything about it. Just curious.

[NannaB]

I very much doubt it. It would be like catching altzheimers, Parkinson’s, motor neurone disease from a partner. They are all far more common but I’ve never heard of a spouse catching them. I did know a couple who both had multiple sclerosis but they were told they didn’t “catch” it from each other. Of all the many spouses who have communicated on this site for their husband/wives with PSP over the seven years I’ve been on it, I don’t think any had it as well.

XxxX

[kenh1]

My reply would be the same as NannaB. Your post reminded me of a book by CSLewis 'Surprised by Joy' He married late in life and his wife got cancer. Through prayer he bore her pain. To some extent all of us who care for our loved ones share their suffering even though we don't contract the disease. For me as with CS Lewis prayer helps.

[Dadshelper]

Nothing I have read or heard suggests these neuro diseases are transmittable. I have never seen any hard evidence of them being hereditary either.

Ron

[enjoysalud]

There is no known cause or cure....but brain research continues.

My "PERSONAL opinion" is that it is NOT caused by a virus or germ. I may be found wrong, as my MD puts his vote with virus.

Brain research is moving rapidly. I do believe that there will be found a strong genetic component, but possibly influenced by environmental and mutant influences. PSP is put in the category of PRIME OF LIFE BRAIN DISEASES (there are presently six listed: PSP, CBD, MSA....FTD, ALS, CTE). All of these share protein misfolding. In addition, Alzheimer's and PSP share TAU.

GOOGLE: "Robin Riddle, brain support network" and then scroll down to Board of Directors. Ms Riddle states that because of brain donations, three genes have so far been identified with PSP. I believe it is important to remember that genes come in recessive and dominant forms, and then there is mutation.

I would also on the "SEARCH PSP ASSOCIATION" bar, at the top of the page, write in "A difficult subject" a post by Christine47 (2017) where she writes of a question posed to Robin Riddle of CurePSP.

My son died of PSP, May 4, 2017. His biological father died of FTD, 2002. I, like you, wait patiently for a CURE and for the CAUSE.

Margarita, Los Angeles, CA, USA

[Botto in reply to enjoysalud]

My wife had polio as a young girl but got by it. She was diagnosed with celiac disease at the time she was diagnosed with PSP. She always told me she had a bad stomach all her life. I read recently where I think there is a gut to brain connection for Alzheimer’s. Something, maybe a bacteria in the intestines travels up the Vagus nerve into the brain. This may kick off the folding of prions. Research is active on this.

[enjoysalud in reply to Botto]

Hi, I had read of the Parkinson's "possible" gut to brain connection, but not Alzheimer's. I think I missed it. Whatever the cause, I just think we have to be patient until we get some evidence and scientific agreement as to the cause. In the meantime it's all conjecture. Which is kind of nice because we can all put forth our theories.

I hope you are doing o.k. and your wife too.

Margarita, Los Angeles, CA, USA

[Botto in reply to enjoysalud]

My apology, it IS Parkinson’s.

[salem16 in reply to enjoysalud]

I wish there was a cure. My husband has passed. But for others I hope something is found soon.

[Hidden]

I think there might be a genetic predisposition toward a neurological disease that may get a push from environmental conditions. It’s not contagious.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I agree totally.

[Inparadise in reply to Hidden]

My husband has PSP. His uncle on his mother’s side died from PSP in 2006. His mother also has PSP symptoms, but her husband will not take her to a neurologist.

[Botto in reply to Inparadise]

Sadly, seeing a neurologist for treatment is futile. To diagnose officially, yes. He should take her. There are many services that she can benefit from if she truly has it.

[Hidden in reply to Inparadise]

In hindsight I realized Larry’s father exhibited symptoms of a neurological disease. Only after Larry was diagnosed and I read up on the symptoms did his father’s behavior start to make sense.

[NHGrace]

I’ll echo the above but with stronger language: there has *never* been any research suggesting motor neuron diseases are contagious. Most families are affected once (which is plenty!), but of course there may be correlations with shared environments, lifestyle habits, etc. that have yet to be discovered. And there are important distinctions between genetic and hereditary too - by all genetic traits are inherited - to begin with. Peace.

[Botto in reply to NHGrace]

I was just interested because I never did see anything about it but i did see writings about it being passed on possibly. I think that it is something that should be mentioned to caregivers and others. That’s all.

[NHGrace]

Agreed! I’d just hate anyone being fearful to care/be around someone with PSP (or anything else).

In my work, I research the experiences of living with Alzheimer’s and I’m always struck (& saddened) when someone asks me if they are contagious or going to “give it” to their children (likewise, only in the very rare cases of young onset AD is there a genetic component and even then it’s just an increased risk, not a guarantee) as it seems an undue emotional burden on top of the very real symptoms they’re already trying to manage.

[AnaBri in reply to NHGrace]

Totally agree

[enjoysalud in reply to NHGrace]

Today I received my magazine of BRAIN & LIFE. I always find good information there. The advice and information contained therein is provided by the members of THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY. The subscription is free.

Regarding Alzheimer's (pg 17) , "There are certainly genetic risk factors, hence some degree of heritability." The page continues to give more information on genetic risk.

Brainandlife.org click on subscribe link to subscribe or to seek past issues, resources, etc.

[teresa1988 in reply to enjoysalud]

Thank you for sharing the link to subscribe to this free magazine.

[enjoysalud in reply to teresa1988]

You are welcome! I have enjoyed all their issues, but this last one (Rita Wilson the actress is on the cover) seems to have all their topics on interests of mine.

[Tttp]

This is a great web for information on psp as many have gone threw many symptoms, Mayo Clinic web on psp has all the information one may need.

[AnaBri]

From what I've come to understand the begining of the decease is unknown but not contagious. My mom's neurologist recomended we all got tested later in life not for PSP exclusively but to find if we could have inklings to any brain degenerative decease, so it could incline us to believe family has more propensity to these type of ailments.

I read in a post here, there is a correlation between tau multiplication after a big fall, one where the patient has had a possible nerve impact. Can't confirm if it's true or not, but is the only event that happened to my mom in her younger days that in some sort explains why it happened.

Maybe one day we'll get to know the truth...

[AnaBri in reply to AnaBri]

Btw, it happened before we were born and all of her offsprings have been tested and come negative on any of the symptoms. That's not to say it can't happen later in life, but as to this day, we've been tested and have come clean on PSP or Parkinson's symptoms.