Postural Instability in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

The purpose of this study is to better understand why individuals with Progressive
Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) fall. Understanding the mechanism of gait and balance dysfunction
in individuals with PSP may provide us with important early diagnostic tools, allowing for
earlier identification of mobility problems and to better evaluate medical therapies aimed
at improving motor disability.

The investigators will recruit 10 PSP, 10 PD and 10 healthy controls for the study. All
subjects will be asked to come to the OHSU clinic at the Center for Health and Healing for
an initial screening visit. They will meet with the primary investigator to conduct a brief
interview and physical examination. In addition, they will be asked to answer questions
regarding current and past medical illness, how often they fall and what kinds of
medications they are on.

Subjects who agree to participate will come to the Oregon Clinical and Translational
Research Institute (OCTRI) at OHSU for balance testing. Subjects will be asked to stand or
sit on a movable platform with eyes open or closed. Prior to standing on the platform, the
investigators will place 6 small sensors on body which are held in place by velcro straps
(one on each wrist, ankles, chest and lower back). The platform will then be moved (tilt or
slide) while subjects try to keep their balance. During all of the balance tests described
above, body movements will be recorded from the sensors on the subjects' body. This data is
directly recorded by a computer and analyzed to help us gain better understanding of the
subjects' posture and their ability to remain up right.