Improving the Quality of Life in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

 Therapeutic targets to enhance the livelihood of those diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Figure: In a 2014 MRI scan of a patient diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, the "hummingbird sign" is present, imitating how a stroke would present on this type of scan.

    Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects one's walking, balance, body movements, and eye movements over time, a type of atypical Parkinsonism. The onset of this disease is typically in their late 60s, eventually leading to complications of pneumonia, choking, and head injuries from falls. There is no current treatment that effectively slows or stops the progression of this disease. 

    However, new research coming out of the University of Florida has promising potential. This team found that toxic buildup of protein tau is a primary molecular mechanism of this disease. Using CRISPR gene-editing technology, the team suppressed PERK-B, a variant associated with the PSP disease. By doing this, the researchers found differences in four proteins, reducing DLX-1 and protein tau levels. These findings could eventually be useful in developing gene therapies for the disease to alleviate symptoms.

Sources:

https://www.jneurosci.org/content/46/13/e1727252026

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/progressive-supranuclear-palsy-psp

https://mbi.ufl.edu/2026/02/23/new-study-reveals-potential-targets-to-treat-progressive-supranuclear-palsy/