Chapter 20 Neurophysiological aids to the diagnosis of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)

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Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a degenerative disorder, which features parkinsonism with a severe equilibrium disturbance and frequent falls, pseudobulbar palsy, dystonia, and oculomotor gaze palsy predominating in the vertical direction. The clinical criteria for probable PSP include a progressive disorder, beginning at age 40 or later, featuring vertical oculomotor palsy and instability with falls during the first year, with no evidence of other diseases that can explain the syndrome. Neurophysiological studies can help in the assessment of patients with all forms of parkinsonism. Apart from an increase in the knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying certain clinical manifestations, neurophysiological studies can document and demonstrate the differences among diseases presenting with parkinsonism and participate in their differential diagnosis. Neurophysiology also has a huge potential for research in parkinsonism and movement disorders. In the case of PSP, in accordance with the distribution of the pathological lesions and the main clinical signs, the most interesting neurophysiological tests to be considered are those examining brainstem functions and reflexes.

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