Rep. Subramanyam, Senator Blumenthal Lead Resolution to Designate May as PSP and CBD Awareness Month

WASHINGTON, DC - Today U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate May as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD) Awareness Month. Rep. Subramanyam spoke about his resolution this week on the House floor.

"PSP is a heartbreaking condition that impacts thousands of Americans, including my dear friend and mentor Congresswoman Wexton. We must support vital research into PSP and CBD so that we can get answers for patients and ultimately find a cure. One way to make sure that happens is to bring awareness to this neurodegenerative disease and our resolution does just that," said Rep. Subramanyam.

"This resolution honors not only the brave individuals living with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration but also their caregivers and the medical professionals working to prevent, treat, and ultimately cure these diseases. I am inspired by the strength and courage of those impacted by PSP and CBD, and I look forward continuing to support efforts to improve access to care and bolster the quality of life for Americans living with these diseases," said Senator Blumenthal.

The bipartisan resolution has 25 House co-sponsors.

PSP is a neurodegenerative condition that progresses because of a damaging build-up of a protein in the brain called tau. This disease is particularly harmful to parts of the brain that control speech, balance, coordination, and eye-movement, and can have incredibly scary impacts on the quality of life and life expectancy for patients. Most people who suffer from PSP will become dependent on care in just three to four years.

"Having a House PSP Awareness Resolution for a third year in a row is a testament to the movement that Rep. Jennifer Wexton started, and adding CBD to it this year is an opportunity to shed light on a closely related but even rarer disease," said Jessica Shurer, MSW, LCSW, Director of Clinical Affairs and Advocacy at CurePSP. "To say that living with or caring for someone with PSP or CBD is life-changing is an incredible understatement, but our community perseveres. Progress in earlier diagnosis, breakthroughs in research, broader public recognition, and more comprehensive care for these diseases starts by people with lived experiences feeling empowered to share their stories and needs. We are grateful for partners and champions like Rep. Subramanyam for elevating their voices and visibility."

Despite the aggressive nature of PSP, and its impact on over 30,000 individuals and their families, most people have never heard of PSP. It is believed to be as common as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but it does not receive the same type of recognition or funding for research. Right now, there are no known disease-modifying treatments or a cure for PSP. Congressman Subramanyam's resolution aims to increase awareness, encourage research, and ultimately, help find a cure.