Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) Clinical Trials

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare atypical parkinsonian disorder characterized by progressive vertical supranuclear gaze palsy (particularly impaired downward gaze), postural instability with characteristic early falls, and progressive cognitive and behavioral decline. The disease pathologically results from abnormal accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau protein in specific brain regions including the basal ganglia, brainstem (particularly midbrain), and frontal cortex. The characteristic Richardson syndrome includes vertical gaze palsy, dystonic features affecting the neck and trunk, and progressive dementia.

The most common symptoms of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy include Downward gaze palsy (difficulty looking down), Postural instability and frequent falls, Bradykinesia and rigidity, Cognitive decline and apathy, Pseudobulbar palsy with dysarthria, among others. Approximately 1 in 100,000 people. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may vary between individuals.

Trial Friend lists all active clinical trials for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy from ClinicalTrials.gov, with eligibility criteria translated into plain English. Patients can filter by trial phase and recruitment status, search by location, and use the Match Me tool to score trials against their profile. Clinical trials are actively exploring tau-targeting therapies and tau immunotherapies showing promise in PSP and other tauopathies. These approaches aim to prevent tau aggregation, enhance tau clearance, or block tau-mediated neuronal damage.

As of October 14, 2026, no current FDA drug label names Progressive Supranuclear Palsy as a condition the drug treats.

The exact cause of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy is not fully understood. It is not caused by a single gene; inherited variants raise risk, and immune, environmental or other triggers are thought to set it off. Almost always sporadic; rare familial cases carry MAPT variants, and common MAPT haplotypes only shift risk, so genetic testing is not part of routine diagnosis. Approximately 1 in 100,000 people. Research is ongoing to better understand the disease mechanism.

No single gene test diagnoses Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. The diagnosis rests on clinical findings and laboratory or imaging results; genetic variants shift risk rather than cause the disease. Almost always sporadic; rare familial cases carry MAPT variants, and common MAPT haplotypes only shift risk, so genetic testing is not part of routine diagnosis.

Some trials collect genetic samples for research or check specific risk markers. The Genetic Testing section of this page shows any tests listed in the NIH Genetic Testing Registry, which for this condition are usually research or risk-marker tests rather than diagnostic ones.

Eligibility for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy clinical trials depends on factors like age, diagnosis, treatment history, and overall health. Each trial sets its own inclusion and exclusion criteria. Trial Friend translates these requirements from medical language into plain English so patients can review them more easily. The Match Me tool can score your profile against active trials to help identify studies that may be a fit.

Participating in a Progressive Supranuclear Palsy clinical trial typically involves scheduled visits, medical tests, and close monitoring by a research team. Depending on the study phase, you may receive an investigational treatment, a placebo, or the current standard of care. Trials may last from a few weeks to several years. Study participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.