The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., a civil rights leader, two-time presidential candidate and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, has died at 84, his family announced. The family said he died peacefully Tuesday morning, surrounded by relatives, and noted his lifelong dedication to justice, equality and human rights.
Jackson first disclosed a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2017. In April 2025 doctors revised that diagnosis to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative disorder that can mimic Parkinson’s early on. It has not been established whether PSP was the direct cause of his death. Following a hospitalization in November, his family said he had been treated for several infections consistent with the progression of PSP.
Jackson spoke openly about his diagnosis, bringing attention to a condition that is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Kristophe Diaz, PhD, CEO of CurePSP, said Jackson’s visibility helped raise awareness about the need for earlier detection, improved treatments and more research toward a cure.
What is PSP
Progressive supranuclear palsy is an uncommon neurodegenerative disease that affects brain regions responsible for movement, balance, eye movements, speech and thinking. Most people with PSP are diagnosed in their 60s or 70s. The condition is linked to abnormal accumulation of a misfolded form of the tau protein in specific brain cells; this buildup damages neurons and interferes with their functions. Most PSP cases appear sporadic rather than inherited, and researchers have not identified definitive lifestyle or environmental causes.
How PSP differs from Parkinson’s disease
PSP and Parkinson’s disease can look similar at first — both may cause stiffness and slowed movement — which makes early diagnosis challenging. Key differences that often emerge as the diseases progress include:
– Balance and falls: Sudden, unexplained backward falls tend to occur earlier in PSP, while balance decline in Parkinson’s generally develops more slowly.
– Eye movement problems: Difficulty moving the eyes, especially looking up or down, is a hallmark of PSP and can affect reading, stair navigation and visual focus. This is not typically an early feature of Parkinson’s.
– Tremor: Tremors are a common sign of Parkinson’s but are less frequent in PSP.
– Medication response: Parkinson’s symptoms often improve with dopamine-replacement therapies such as levodopa; people with PSP usually have little or only temporary benefit from those medications.
– Progression: PSP commonly advances more rapidly than Parkinson’s, producing more severe mobility and communication challenges in a shorter time frame.
Diagnosis is primarily clinical and may be revised as new symptoms appear. Greater awareness of these distinguishing features can prompt clinicians to reconsider an initial Parkinson’s diagnosis when signs point toward PSP.
Management and care
There is no cure for PSP. Treatment focuses on symptom relief, safety and quality of life. Common approaches include:
– Medications: Parkinson’s drugs may offer limited, short-lived improvements for some movement symptoms in select patients.
– Vision aids: Prism lenses or specialized glasses can help compensate for impaired eye movements.
– Botulinum toxin (Botox): Injections can reduce muscle stiffness or spasms in certain situations.
– Rehabilitation therapies: Physical therapy for balance and mobility; occupational therapy to adapt daily activities; speech therapy to assist with communication and swallowing.
– Multidisciplinary care: Because PSP affects multiple functions, coordinated care from neurology, rehabilitation, nursing and other specialties is often needed.
Research into the role of tau protein continues, with the goal of developing disease-modifying therapies that could slow progression.
Jackson’s legacy
Jackson’s decades-long career included civil rights activism, voter registration efforts and public service that elevated marginalized voices and mobilized millions. His decision to speak publicly about his illness brought greater attention to PSP, highlighted diagnostic challenges and underscored the need for more research, resources and support for people living with rare neurodegenerative disorders.
