Charity training aims to bridge care gap for rare neurological conditions
PSPA, the leading UK charity dedicated to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD), is improving standards of care through its highly successful Masterclass series.
With more than 1,500 healthcare professionals engaging with the sessions in 2025 alone, these hour-long online education modules are transforming how the medical community identifies and manages these rare, life-limiting neurological conditions.
PSP & CBD are often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, leading to delays in essential support. PSPA’s Masterclasses are specifically designed to tackle this challenge, providing clinicians with the tools to ensure more consistent, compassionate care across the UK.
The 2025 series saw 510 live attendees and a further 1,200 professionals accessing recordings. The impact is already being felt on the front lines of healthcare:
Enhanced confidence: Feedback shows a marked increase in professionals’ ability to recognise atypical symptoms.
Clearer pathways: Attendees report a better understanding of the multidisciplinary care pathways patients require.
Practical strategies: Clinicians are implementing new mobility and eye-care strategies to support families immediately.
“It was an incredibly informative session,” shared one attendee. “The section identifying signs and symptoms has made me much more confident to look for the signs that fit an atypical diagnosis.”
Picture Copyright:
Iain McLean,
https://www.iainmclean.com
Launching the 2026 Masterclass series
Building on this momentum, PSPA has announced a schedule of four Masterclasses for the coming year, which are now CPD accredited. These sessions remain free of charge to all healthcare professionals.
The first session of 2026, “The Impact of PSP & CBD on Cognition and Mental Health,” will take place on 25 March at 6.30pm. Led by Dr Susan O’Connell, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, the session will focus on:
- Recognising early clinical signs across motor and non-motor domains
- Differentiating PSP and CBD from Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
- The vital role of multidisciplinary teams in coordinated care.
How to join the Masterclass programme
Healthcare professionals, including GPs, neurologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and nurses, are encouraged to register for the upcoming session or access past recordings via the PSPA website.
• Register for the March Masterclass: www.pspassociation.org.uk/information-and-support/for-professionals/master-classes/
• Professional updates: Sign up for the monthly newsletter sign posting to new resources and training, by emailing communications@pspassociation.org.uk.
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD) are two rare neuro-degenerative diseases.
They are caused by the loss of neurons in certain parts of the brain. Over time, this leads to difficulties with balance, mobility, speech, vision, swallowing and cognition.
Both conditions are life limiting. There is no treatment and no cure.
Currently, around 60% of people living with either disease, are initially misdiagnosed with other conditions including Parkinson’s, stroke and depression.
PSPA is the only UK charity dedicated to creating a better future for every affected by PSP & CBD.
We will do this by:
• Providing information and support to enable families living with PSP & CBD to live their best possible lives
• Improving the quality of life for people living with the condition via research and awareness raising
• Putting the voice of the PSP & CBD community at the heart of what we do.
For more information please visit www.pspassociation.org.uk
