Falls in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Publication: Movement Disorders

Fraser S. Brown, James B. Rowe, Luca Passamonti, Timothy Rittman

6 December 2019


Despite falls being an almost universal clinical feature and central to the presentation and diagnostic criteria of progressive supranuclear palsy, our understanding of falls is surprisingly limited and there are few effective treatment options.

The researchers reviewed current understanding of the pathophysiology of falls, highlighting the roles of the indirect pathway and the pedunculopontine nucleus. They then identified shortcomings in commonly used assessments to measure falls, looked at medical and nonmedical fall prevention strategies, and finally discussed balancing falls risk against promoting independence.

Falls are central to progressive supranuclear palsy presentation and diagnosis. Indirect locomotor and pedunculopontine nucleus dysfunction are thought to be the neural substrate of falls in this condition. Attempts to measure and prevent falls, by medical and nonmedical means, are currently limited. A personalized approach is advocated in the management of falls.

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