Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Panencephalitis, Subacute Sclerosing
SSPE
Dawson's Disease
Dawson's Encephalitis

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). The disease may develop due to reactivation of the measles virus or an inappropriate immune response to the measles virus. SSPE usually develops 2 to 10 years after the original viral attack. Initial symptoms may include memory loss, irritability, seizures, involuntary muscle movements, and/or behavioral changes, leading to neurological deterioration.

Resources

Transverse Myelitis Association
1787 Sutter Parkway
Powell, OH 43065-8806
USA
Tel: 6147661806
Email: ssiegel@myelitis.org
Internet: http://www.myelitis.org

NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
6610 Rockledge Drive
MSC 6612
Bethesda, MD 20892-6612
Tel: (301)496-5717
Fax: (301)402-3573
TDD: (800)877-8339
Internet: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/

Encephalitis Global
1638 Pierard Road
North Vancouver
British Columbia, Intl V7J 1Y2
Canada
Tel: 604-980-2236
Fax: 6049040809
Email: wendystation@shaw.ca
Internet: http://www.encephalitisglobal.com

Encephalitis Society
7B Saville Street
Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 7LL
UK
Tel: 44 (0) 1652 625 583
Email: mail@encephalitis.info
Internet: http://www.encephalitis.info

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 9/17/2007
Copyright 1986, 1987, 1994, 2003, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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