title: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
abstract: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a neurodegenerative disease caused by a persistent "slow virus infection" with a mutated measles virus, is endemic in much of the developing world. Its incidence will increase in the USA, not only in immigrants, but also because of the 1988-1990 measles epidemic. This report reviews the pathogenesis, clinical and laboratory diagnosis, and future perspectives in treatment and prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, USA.
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Gascon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003673:Defective Viruses / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008459:Measles virus / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D013190:SSPE Virus / Q000235:genetics; D013344:Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha