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Hopkins: Progressive Supranuclear Palsy July 29, 1998 BALTIMORE (Johns Hopkins) - If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, is it a duck? Not always, at least in the world of medicine. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy is a neurological disease that's often misdiagnosed as Parkinson's because to the untrained eye, the two look much alike. PSP is rare enough that many doctors have never even seen it, so a case of mistaken identity is understandable. Yet there are key differences. Early on, the inability to move the eyes up or down is a sure sign of the disease. While there are no effective treatments for PSP, there are therapies that help. "Care is largely supportive, doing things to enhance mobility, to prevent trouble swallowing, improve nutrition, help with speech, etcetera. But the care is largely supportive," explains Johns Hopkins neurologist Dr. Stephen Reich, who is chairman of the Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. The Society for PSP offers help and answers questions about the disease. It can be reached by calling 1-800-457-4777. Copyright The Johns Hopkins University, 1998. All rights reserved. _________ [log in to unmask] DOB: 1941/Dx: 1980 Don't wait ------>participate! http://www.parkinsonalliance.net/