Progressive supranuclear palsy: a systematic review

The progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rapidly progressingdegenerative disease belonging to the family of tauophaties, characterizedby the involvement of both cortical and subcortical structures.Although the pathogenesis of PSP is still uncertain, genetic, biochemical,and immunohistochemical studies have been performed and arereviewed here. Genetic factors, oxidative damage, neurotoxins, andenvironmental factors contribute to tau deposition in the cerebral areasinvolved in PSP. Symptoms originate from the ensuing dysfunction ofdopaminergic, GABAergic, cholinergic, and noradrenergic pathways.Recent advances in neuroradiological and instrumental examinationsfacilitate the diagnosis and have gained new insights into thepathophysiology of PSP, although the primary cause of the disease isunknown and disease-modifying drugs are not yet available.