The Genetic Background of the Immunological and Inflammatory Aspects of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disease, classified as an atypical Parkinsonian syndrome, that has been pathologically and clinically defined. The histopathological aspects of the disease include tufted astrocytes, while the clinical features involve oculomotor dysfunction, postural instability, akinesia, cognitive impairment, and language difficulties. Although PSP is generally considered a sporadic disease, interest is growing in its genetics, with contemporary research focusing on familial backgrounds and neuroinflammation. Indeed, microglial activation and other inflammatory mechanisms of PSP pathogenesis have been extensively analyzed using genetic examinations to identify the factors impacting neurodegeneration. As such, this review aims to elaborate on recent findings in this field.