Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

Introduction: Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia: Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), also called familial spastic paralysis, refers to a group of genetic disorders that are characterized ... more about Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia.

Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia: A slow-progressing degeneration of the tract that connects the brain to the spinal cord (corticospinal tract) resulting in muscle spasticity, weakness and paralysis. The severity of symptoms is determined by the nature and extent of the damage. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia is available below.

Symptoms of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

• Progressive leg weakness
• Progressive leg spasticity (stiffness)
• Spasticity of muscles
• Increased tendon reflexes
• Generalized weakness

See full list of 18 symptoms of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

Medical Textbooks Online about Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Wrongly Diagnosed with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia?

• Misdiagnosis of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

Causes of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

Read more about causes of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia.

Treatments for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

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Prognosis for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

Prognosis for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia: the condition is progressive and usually starts in the legs and spreads to other muscles; ultimately leads to confinement to bed

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Reseach about Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

Visit our research pages for current research about Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia treatments.

Clinical Trials for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.

Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia include:

• Nuclear Magnetic Spectroscopy Imaging to Evaluate Primary Lateral Sclerosis, Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)

Read more about Clinical Trials for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

Statistics for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

• Medical statistics for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
• Death and Mortality statistics for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
• Society statistics for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

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Article Excerpts about Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), also called familial spastic paralysis, refers to a group of genetic disorders that are characterized by progressive weakness and spasticity (stiffness) of the legs. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia Information Page: NINDS)

Definitions of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia:

Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, or a subtype of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
Source - National Institutes of Health (NIH)