Example differential diagnosis – progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a fatal neurodegenerative condition, with a typical survival time of seven years.^1,2 PSP can present with parkinsonism symptoms.¹ Pathologically, PSP is characterised by accumulation of tau proteins (four-repeat tau) that form filaments and neurofibrillary tangles within the brains of affected individuals.^1,3

References:
1.Niccolini F, Politis M. A systematic review of lessons learned from PET molecular imaging research in atypical parkinsonism. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2016; 43 (12): 2244–2254.

2.Golbe LI. Progressive supranuclear palsy. Semin Neurol 2014; 34 (2): 151–159.

3.Spillantini MG, Goedert M. Tau pathology and neurodegeneration. Lancet Neurol 2013; 12: 609–622.