Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Introduction: Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is caused by a reaction to the measles virus. It can occur anywhere from 2 to 10 years ... more about Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis.

Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis: A progressive neurological disorder involving inflammation of the brain caused by a complication of the measles virus. It can occur up to 10 years after the initial measles virus and may be due to a defective immune response to the virus or a reactivation of the virus. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis is available below.

Symptoms of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

• Intellectual deterioration
• Memory loss
• Irritability
• Involuntary movements
• Seizures

See full list of 25 symptoms of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Medical Textbooks Online about Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

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

Wrongly Diagnosed with Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis?

• Misdiagnosis of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis
• Underlying causes of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (possibly wrongly diagnosed)

Misdiagnosis and Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

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MTBI misdiagnosed as balance problem: When a person has symptoms such as vertigo or dizziness, a diagnosis of brain injury may go overlooked. This is particularly true of ...read more »

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Post-concussive brain injury often misdiagnosed: A study found that soldiers who had suffered a concussive injury in battle often were misdiagnosed on their return. A variety of symptoms...read more »

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Read more about Misdiagnosis and Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Causes of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

• Measles - SSPE is a reaction that occurs many years after measles exposure, often 2-10 years.

Read more about causes of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

More information about causes of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis:

• Underlying causes of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Treatments for Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

• Anticonvulsants
• Supportive measures

Read more about treatments for Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

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Prognosis for Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Prognosis for Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis: death usually occurs in 1 to 3 years usually due to pneumonia but remissions can occur

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Statistics for Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

• Medical statistics for Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis
• Death and Mortality statistics for Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis
• Society statistics for Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

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Article Excerpts about Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is caused by a reaction to the measles virus. It can occur anywhere from 2 to 10 years after the original measles illness, and generally results in progressive neurological deterioration due to brain inflammation. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis Information Page: NINDS)

Definitions of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis:

Rare chronic progressive encephalitis caused by the measles virus and occurring primarily in children and young adults; death usually occurs within three years; characterized by primary measles infection before the age of two years. - (Source - Diseases Database)

A rare chronic progressive encephalitis caused by the measles virus and occurring primarily in children and young adults; death usually occurs within three years; characterized by primary measles infection before the age of two years - (Source - WordNet 2.1)

Ophanet, a consortium of European partners, currently defines a condition rare when it affects 1 person per 2,000. They list Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis as a "rare disease".
Source - Orphanet