NINDS Hallervorden-Spatz Disease Information Page: NINDS

Article title: NINDS Hallervorden-Spatz Disease Information Page: NINDS

Conditions: Hallervorden-Spatz Disease

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What is Hallervorden-Spatz Disease?
Hallervorden-Spatz disease is a rare, inherited, neurological movement disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of the nervous system. Symptoms, which vary greatly among patients and usually develop during childhood, may include slow writhing, distorting muscle contractions of the limbs, face, or trunk, choreoathetosis (involuntary, purposeless jerky muscle movements), muscle rigidity (uncontrolled tightness of the muscles), spasticity (sudden, involuntary muscle spasms), ataxia (inability to coordinate movements), confusion, disorientation, seizures, stupor, and dementia. Other less common symptoms may include painful muscle spasms, dysphasia (difficulty speaking), mental retardation, facial grimacing, dysarthria (poorly articulated speech), and visual impairment.

Is there any treatment?
There is no cure for Hallervorden-Spatz disease, nor is there a standard course of treatment. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive, and may include physical or occupational therapy, exercise physiology, and/or speech pathology.

What is the prognosis?
The prognosis for individuals with Hallervorden-Spatz disease is poor. The course of the disorder is relentlessly progressive. Death usually occurs approximately 10 years after onset. In a few cases, survival may extend for several decades.

What research is being done?
The NINDS supports research on neurodegenerative movement disorders such as Hallervorden-Spatz disease. The goals of this research are to increase understanding of these disorders, and to find ways to prevent, treat, and cure them.

 Organizations

Hallervorden-Spatz Syndrome Association
2082 Monaco Court
El Cajon, CA 92019-4235
HSSA-KWPAC@msn.com
http://www.hssa.org/
Tel: 619-588-2315
Fax: 619-588-4093

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
(100 Route 37)
New Fairfield, CT 06812-8923
orphan@rarediseases.org
http://www.rarediseases.org/
Tel: 203-746-6518 800-999-NORD (6673)
Fax: 203-746-6481

Easter Seals
230 West Monroe Street
Suite 1800
Chicago, IL 60606-4802
info@easter-seals.org
http://www.easter-seals.org/
Tel: 312-726-6200 800-221-6827
Fax: 312-726-1494

This fact sheet is in the public domain. You may copy it.Provided by:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

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