Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a form of neurodegenerative disease which affects the brainstem and basal ganglia. Patients present supranuclear ophthalmoplegia, postural instability and mild dementia. We analyzed five cases of PSP from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2009. All patients underwent a memory test, autonomic examination, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and they evaluated by formal neurologic examination. All were taking L-dopa or dopamine agonists. At the onset of PSP the initial diagnosis was Parkinson’s disease in all patients. The brain MRI findings were revealed severe midbrain atrophy, while mini-mental state examination disclosed cognitive impairment, with predominant subcorticalfrontal involvement. Autonomic tests were failure in three of the patients. We emphasize the still obvious current difficulty in diagnosing PSP at an early stage in clinical practice. Therefore it is essential to formulate better clinical diagnostic criteria, to permit correct management of the disease.
Keywords: Progressive supranuclear palsy, magnetic resonans imaging, cognitive impairment
