title: Stiff person syndrome.
abstract: Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare disorder, characterised by fluctuating rigidity and stiffness of the axial and proximal lower limb muscles, with superimposed painful spasms and continuous motor unit activity on electromyography. Although rare in general neurology practice, once observed it is unforgettable. The general neurologist may see only one or two cases during his or her career and as such it remains underdiagnosed. Left untreated, SPS symptoms can progress to cause significant disability. Patients have a poor quality of life and an excess rate of comorbidity and mortality. The severity of symptoms and lack of public awareness of the condition create anxiety and uncertainty for people with the disease. This review aims to raise awareness of SPS and to improve the likelihood of its earlier diagnosis and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK. shahrzadhadavi@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Shahrzad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hadavi
authors.forename: Alastair J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Noyce
authors.forename: R David
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Leslie
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giovannoni
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018682:GABA Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000276:immunology; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000502:physiology; D016750:Stiff-Person Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000266:history / Q000628:therapy*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018682:GABA Agents; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase