Why did dudley moore die

March 28, -- Dudley Moore, the comic star of Arthur and 10, died in his New Jersey home Wednesday morning after a long struggle with a degenerative disease.

He was Moore had been battling progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare and incurable brain disorder similar to Parkinson's disease. In the last years of his life, he was in great pain, gradually losing control of his body until even simple movements, like swallowing, became difficult. Still, in his debilitated state, he used his celebrity to shed light on PSP and the estimated 20, Americans who struggle with the illness.

Moore is best remembered as the drunken playboy in Arthur who offers to give up his fortune to marry a waitress Liza Minnelli against his family's wishes. The role showed Moore's potential as a comic with pathos.

Sadly, Moore said that many friends and fans mistook him for his Arthur character when his illness first caused his speech to slur. Even from the start, Moore's career seemed like a long shot. Actively scan device characteristics for identification.

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Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. When British actor and comedian Dudley Moore died on March 27, , the official cause of death was listed as pneumonia. But, in truth, Moore had been battling a rare condition known as progressive supranuclear palsy PSP which causes the gradual deterioration of parts of the brain that regulate balance, muscle control, cognitive function, and certain voluntary and involuntary movements such as swallowing and eye movement.

While the cause of progressive supranuclear palsy is largely unknown, it is thought to be associated with a mutation on a specific part of a gene known as chromosome Unfortunately, it's not all that uncommon a mutation. While nearly every person with PSP has this genetic anomaly so, too, do two-thirds of the general population.

As such, the mutation is seen to be a contributing rather than the sole factor for the disorder. Environmental toxins and other genetic issues may also play a part. Scientists are also not yet entirely sure to what extent PSP is associated with Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease with which it shares certain characteristic symptoms.

PSP is estimated to affect 6 of every , people with the onset of symptoms typically occurring around the age of 50 or Men tend to be affected slightly more than women. One of the most characteristic, "tell-tale" symptoms of PSP involves eye movement control, most notably the ability to look down. The condition, known as ophthalmoparesis, causes the weakening or paralysis of certain muscles around the eyeball.

Vertical movement of the eyes is also commonly affected. As the condition worsens, the upward gaze may also be impacted. Due to the lack of focal control, persons experiencing ophthalmoparesis will frequently complain about double vision , blurred vision, and light sensitivity.

Poor eyelid control may also occur. As other parts of the brain are affected, PSP will manifest with a range of common symptoms which tend to worsen over time. These include:. PSP is commonly misdiagnosed in the early stages of the disease and is often misattributed to an inner ear infection, thyroid problem, stroke, or Alzheimer's disease especially in the elderly. The diagnosis of PSP is based largely on symptoms. It is a process by which all other possible causes need to be excluded.

Please update your payment details to keep enjoying your Irish Times subscription. Dudley Moore dies from a slow, degenerative brain illness Thu, Mar 28, , Most Viewed.

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