There is currently no single, definitive test for diagnosing PSP. Instead, it is considered a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that doctors must first rule out other possible conditions. This process typically involves a combination of brain imaging, blood tests, neurological evaluations, and a thorough review of symptoms and medical history.

The early symptoms of PSP can closely resemble those of other neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease. As a result, diagnosis is often delayed or initially incorrect. It may take multiple visits to different specialists, including movement neurologists, to reach a conclusive diagnosis.

Even with comprehensive testing and expert evaluation, the accuracy of a PSP diagnosis is estimated to be around 70%. This is largely because of the similarities in symptoms across related conditions and the absence of a specific biomarker or laboratory test that can confirm PSP during a person’s lifetime.

My mom was officially diagnosed with PSP in August 2024, although she had been experiencing symptoms for at least two years before that. During those years, she visited multiple doctors, but no one was able to determine what was causing her decline. Her earliest symptoms included a noticeable softening of her voice, changes in the way she walked that led to frequent falls, and a striking shift in her handwriting, which became much smaller, messier, and harder to read.

Despite many appointments and growing concern, we were left without answers. Eventually, our family insisted that she be evaluated by a neurologist with expertise in movement disorders. That was when we finally received a diagnosis. Although it was heartbreaking to hear, finally understanding what she was facing allowed us to move forward with better information and begin making decisions about her care.