The Rainbow PUSH Coalition announced on Wednesday that longtime civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson has been hospitalized for observation related to his progressive supranuclear palsy condition. The 84-year-old activist has been managing this rare neurodegenerative disorder for approximately a decade.
Health Journey and Diagnosis Evolution
Jackson's health challenges have been ongoing for several years. He initially revealed his Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2017, stating at the time that the recognition of the disease's effects had been painful and difficult to grasp. However, in a significant development this April, medical professionals confirmed that Jackson actually suffers from progressive supranuclear palsy rather than Parkinson's disease.
The organization representing Jackson requested prayers and support for the family during this challenging time. Jackson's health struggles have included multiple hospitalizations over recent years, including treatment for COVID-19 and gallbladder surgery.
Understanding Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Progressive supranuclear palsy, commonly referred to as PSP, represents a rare neurological condition that significantly impacts body movements, balance, walking ability, and eye movements. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, this disorder occurs when nerve cells in brain regions controlling thinking and body movement become damaged.
PSP typically manifests between mid to late 60s, slightly later than Parkinson's disease, which often begins at age 60 or earlier. The conditions differ in several key aspects: individuals with PSP tend to fall backward, while Parkinson's patients typically bend forward. Tremors, common in Parkinson's, rarely appear in PSP cases, and most PSP patients develop significant eye movement problems.
Key Differences Between PSP and Parkinson's
The medical distinction between these two neurodegenerative conditions extends beyond symptom presentation. PSP involves the accumulation of tau protein in affected brain cells, while Parkinson's disease features buildup of a different protein called alpha-synuclein.
Treatment responses also vary dramatically between the conditions. Patients with Parkinson's typically respond well to Levodopa therapy, while those with PSP show minimal or no improvement with the same treatment. This difference in treatment effectiveness often helps clinicians distinguish between the two disorders.
PSP can lead to serious health complications including pneumonia, choking difficulties, and head injuries resulting from frequent falls. The disorder affects multiple bodily functions including swallowing, speech, eye movements, and can influence mood, behavior, and cognitive abilities.
Symptoms and Risk Factors
The most common initial symptom of PSP involves balance problems during walking, leading to sudden and unexplained falls. Additional early signs include stiffness and slowed movements. As the disease advances, patients typically develop eye-related issues such as slow eye movements, difficulty looking upward and downward, trouble controlling eyelids, and compensatory head movements to look around.
Behavioral changes may include depression, reduced motivation, judgment alterations, and forgetfulness. While the exact cause of PSP remains unknown, research indicates cellular damage in the brain stem plays a crucial role. Theories about potential causes include random genetic changes, exposure to unidentified environmental factors, and cellular damage from free radicals.
Currently, no treatment exists to stop or slow PSP progression, and symptoms generally respond poorly to available medications. The civil rights leader's hospitalization highlights the serious nature of this condition and brings attention to the challenges faced by those living with rare neurodegenerative disorders.
