The medical experts of the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Clinic help people with the neurodegenerative disease progressive supranuclear palsy, also known as PSP. This rare neurological condition in adults affects many brain systems and gets worse over time. Symptoms may include trouble with walking and balance, which can lead to falls, and eye movement changes that lead to poor vision. People with this condition also may have trouble with speech and language that can make it hard to communicate. Sometimes these symptoms can be confused with dementia, Parkinson's disease or other neurological diseases that cause falling, especially in the early stages.
There's no cure for progressive supranuclear palsy. Treatment focuses on easing symptoms and extending life expectancy.
The PSP Clinic is located at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
PSP diagnosis
People with progressive supranuclear palsy often have a delayed diagnosis because the symptoms of this condition overlap with diseases such as Parkinson's. At the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Clinic , we aim to provide a quick and accurate diagnosis so that you can get a plan for managing your symptoms that meets your needs. An early diagnosis also may help you become part of a clinical trial for people with this condition.
Our clinic brings together medical experts in neurological conditions and advanced diagnostic testing to arrive at the right diagnosis and a course of action. Timely diagnosis and expert care can make all the difference to the people with this serious and complex condition.
When you arrive at the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Clinic, you may undergo one or more tests. These may include:
- Blood tests.
- Eye exam.
- Neurological gait assessment.
- Balance exam.
- MRI of the brain.
- Neuropsychological testing.
- Physical therapy and occupational therapy evaluation.
- Positron emission tomography scan of the brain.
- Speech-language pathology evaluation.
- Dysphagia evaluation.
A team of healthcare professionals from the clinic reviews the results. They discuss options for managing your symptom and how to tailor a plan to your needs.
A team-based approach
If you come to Mayo Clinic for help with a condition of the nervous system, your first visit may be with an expert in movement disorders or another specialist in the Department of Neurology. If you're diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, you may be referred to the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Clinic. At the clinic, doctors with training in various medical fields may examine you and prepare a personalized plan of care in a timely way. The doctors of the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Clinic also offer second opinions. If you wish, the clinic may send a full report to your primary care professional or other referring healthcare professionals.
In the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Clinic, a doctor who specializes in the nervous system, called a neurologist, leads your care. You may see a palliative care specialist. The goal of palliative care is to ease pain and other symptoms of a serious illness.
Your healthcare team at the clinic also may include specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation, speech pathology, ophthalmology, urology, psychology or others, based on your needs. The team works together to make sure you get exactly the care you need.
Expertise and rankings
Mayo Clinic's Department of Neurology is a leader in helping with movement disorders. Each year our experts see over 100 people with progressive supranuclear palsy and similar conditions, making the department a major referral center. Our clinic is designated a Center of Care by the CurePSP Foundation. You may start by seeing a neurologist at Mayo Clinic and then be referred to the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Clinic.
La sede de Mayo Clinic en Rochester (Minnesota) se encuentra entre los mejores hospitales especializados en neurología, neurocirugía y rehabilitación, según la clasificación de U.S. News & World Report.
Research and innovation
Mayo Clinic's physician-scientists and other researchers are worldwide leaders in advancing the understanding of progressive supranuclear palsy and related diseases. They're committed to researching the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Our researchers are leaders in:
- Describing certain types of progressive supranuclear palsy.
- Identifying new biomarkers of this condition using advanced neuroimaging techniques. Biomarkers are tools or measures that may be useful in early diagnosis or in tracking disease progression.
- Making tools of diagnosis accessible to more people by using innovative digital technologies.
Mayo Clinic takes part in clinical trials to explore new therapies and improve existing treatment options. Talk with your healthcare professional about whether a clinical trial might help you.
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