Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

In the presence of changes in balance, gaze, or movement in an older adult, professional guidance is key, and here the neurologist and the geriatrician come in. Progressive supranuclear palsy is a rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects the control of movement, balance and, characteristically, eye movements.

What sets it apart: It usually involves difficulty moving the eyes up or down, frequent falls, stiffness, and changes in speech or swallowing.

When to seek care? When unexplained falls, gaze disturbances, or slowness of movement that progress over time appear.

Who treats it? The neurologist leads the evaluation, with support from the geriatrician, the internist and, in acute situations, the emergency physician. Talking early with these specialists helps clarify the condition.