cause of PSP

[MattCusack]

my friend has PSP. He is 69 years old. He lived in the Australian bush for over 30 years and drank water every day from his old cement water tanks. Could this be the cause of his PSP?

[pmcdonough1]

I found this on the NIH Website. It might provide some insight. Sending my best to you and your friend.

Who is more likely to get PSP?

The exact cause of PSP is unknown, but research suggests that it involves progressive damage to cells in a few specific areas in the brain, mainly in the brain stem. The death of brain cells in one of these areas, the substantia nigra, accounts in part for the motor symptoms that PSP and Parkinson's have in common. The tau protein deposits that accumulate in nerve cells in PSP appear to spread to different regions of the brain and cause cells to stop working and die. This in turn destroys the neuronal connections that underlie healthy brain function.

PSP is usually sporadic, meaning that it occurs randomly without a known cause. In very few cases, the disease results from mutations in the MAPT gene. This mutation provides faulty instructions for making tau in brain cells. For most people with PSP, no known genetic factor is found.

Several theories suggest that PSP might be caused by:

Random genetic changes that occur in particular cells or genes in a specific combination that injures these cells.

Exposure to some unknown environmental factor (such as chemicals in food, air, or water), which slowly damages certain vulnerable areas of the brain.

Cellular damage caused by free radicals, which are reactive molecules produced continuously by all cells during normal metabolism. Although the body has built-in ways to clear free radicals from the body, scientists suspect that—under certain circumstances—free radicals can react with and damage other molecules.

[Sun-flowerwearer]

Hello I guess we are all looking for answers .. why him, her ..what’s the link ? My husband has a brother who died age 58 of MND and a mum with Alzheimer’s and the neurologists want to explore genetic testing

I’m hoping it’s not genetic as I have children. I am hoping it’s related to working in precision engineering with metals which he’s done all he a life

But who knows ? At the scientists need donations to research these ideas as nothing is proven as yet

We are left with Why my loved one?

[Keithwell]

Hi there Matt

No, I don’t believe that’s the cause. Shocking bad luck . It would be great to chat more as I’m also in Australia, WA to be exact but from country NSW. Sadly caring for a dear friend who was diagnosed about 4 years ago, she’s now 65 and declining rapidly

All the best

[Dance1955]

I recently read something that pain / inflammation cuts down the blood supply to the brain in my husbands case I am inclined to go with that as my husband suffered from a bad back for many years I only read it since his passing

who knows ? and no one in my experience in a professional role really cares I am sorry to say

There’s no respect for PSP because no one’s heard of it

Hugs to you all my journey ended in December when I lost my husband 🌹

[Sharsuk]

We are from India. My husband aged 69 has PSP. My father-in-law had Alzheimer's and my brother-in-law had Parkinson's. However, our consulting neurologist says it's not genetic. My husband retired as a banker, so no exposure to any chemicals, etc. We have just accepted 'cause unknown' and focusing on enjoying each day.

Usha