Approximately five years ago, I was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, (PSP).

PSP is a very rare, but terminal condition and unfortunately with no known causes and no known treatment. PSP causes serious problems with memory-dementia, forgetfulness, walking/balance difficulty and problems with falling, eye movement and vision issues, severe sleep disturbance, depression and anxiety, lack of motivation and, later on, problems with swallowing. I have all of these conditions except difficulty swallowing. Unfortunately, I was forced to quit my professional work because of these issues. The life expectancy with PSP is reduced to six to nine years, and the average is seven years.

Fortunately, just about the same time as my diagnosis, I was referred to Dr Sima Aidun. She recommended genetic and other testing. The results were astounding and very important to me. I feel blessed.

We discovered I have a severe homozygous defect of autophagy. Autophagy is the natural ability of the cell, especially brain cells, to remove accumulated cellular debris. I also have a severe homozygous inability to absorb vitamin D into my cells. Previously I didn’t know that vitamin D is important for brain function–I thought vit. D was just good for bones! My testosterone and vitamin B12 levels were very low.

Dr Aidun recommended important changes for me. I now take mega doses of vitamins D and B12 and youthful doses of testosterone. Because of my defect in autophagy, Dr Aidun recommended fasting at least 12 hours per day as well as several supplements including glutathione suppositories to improve autophagy and detoxification. Dr Aidun also recommended ways to decrease my overall inflammation. She recommended avoiding inflammatory foods and additives while increasing my organic intake. Dr Aidun has my blood glucose under control; my HgbA1c dropped from 5.9 to 5.4 further reducing my inflammation. Dr Aidun also reduced my inflammation using pro-biotics.

Regarding my current state of PSP, I believe overall, the disease progress has slowed. The depression has improved dramatically. My memory problem seems not to be progressing. My eye problems seem about the same. Other issues seem to be worsening: the walking and balance and my insomnia is steady with increasing, but requiring doses of medications and supplements. I do not yet have problems with swallowing.

Again, the cause and treatment of PSP is unknown. But earlier cases of this rare disorder didn’t have the benefit of genetic testing or newer understanding of autophagy (a Nobel Prize winning discovery). My case may be an exception, serendipity perhaps? Maybe Dr. Aidun has stumbled on at least a diagnosis/treatment regimen for PSP? Maybe my peculiar defects are the cause of PSP? Maybe an opportunity to publish a case study?

All told, I believe Dr Aidun has extended my life expectancy! Thank you, Dr A.