The death of the Rev. Jesse Jackson has put a spotlight on progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare degenerative brain disorder.<\/p>\n
The condition affects body movements, walking, balance and even eye movements, according to the National Institutes of Health<\/a>. <\/p>\n Damage to the nerve cells in the areas of the brain that control not only movement but also thinking. <\/p>\n It is different from Parkinson\u2019s disease, which Jackson had initially been diagnosed with, but some of the symptoms are similar. <\/p>\n Progressive supranuclear palsy, or PSP, symptoms begin in the mid-to-late 60s, later than Parkinson\u2019s disease typically develops. Cure PSP<\/a> says it can start as early as the 40s. <\/p>\n About 1 million people have Parkinson\u2019s disease in the U.S., but only 30,000 have PSP. That number may be underestimated due to misdiagnosis of either Parkinson\u2019s or frontotemoral dementia, Cure PSP<\/a> said.<\/p>\n Symptoms of progressive supranuclear palsy<\/p>\n People with PSP may have issues with balance, difficulty walking, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, and issues with eye movements. <\/p>\n But the disease does not just affect mobility; it can also affect a person\u2019s mood, behavior and thinking, the NIH<\/a> said. <\/p>\n As for eyes, PSP can cause them to move slowly. A person may have trouble looking up or down, have issues controlling their eyelids, including involuntary eyelid closure, decreased blinking, or difficulty opening their eyes. They may also move their head to look in different directions, not just their eyes. <\/p>\n PSP will also affect a person\u2019s mood and thinking.<\/p>\n Symptoms may include:<\/p>\n DepressionLack of motivationChanges in judgment, insight, and problem-solvingDifficulty finding wordsForgetfulnessLoss of interest in activities the person used to enjoyIncreased irritabilitySudden laughing, crying, or angry outburstsPersonality changesSlowed, slurred, or monotone speechDifficulty swallowingMask-like facial expressionsSleep problemsDifferences between PSP, Parkinson\u2019s<\/p>\n While they may appear similar, there are several differences between PSP and Parkinson\u2019s disease. <\/p>\n One of the biggest markers of PSP is early, unprovoked falls, according to the American Parkinson Disease Association<\/a>. People fall backward and cannot catch themselves. Falling in Parkinson\u2019s patients typically happens when the disease is more advanced. <\/p>\n