Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

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Central nervous system

SSPE; Subacute sclerosing leukoencephalitis; Dawson´s encephalitis

• Gradual behavioral changes
• School problems
• Bizarre behavior
• Myoclonic jerking (quick muscle jerking or spasms)
• Seizures
• Dementia (loss of cognitive (thought), emotional, and social abilities)
• Unsteady gait
• Coma
• Rigidity (very tense muscles) or flaccidity (lacking muscle tone), with weakness in both legs

There may be a history of measles in an unvaccinated child. A physical examination may show signs of optic nerve (responsible for sight) damage. There may also be damage to the retina (the part of the eye that receives light), poor performance on motor (movement) coordination tests, and muscle twitching.

The following tests may be performed:

• Electroencephalogram (EEG), a test of the electrical activity of the brain, which may show a wave pattern typical of SSPE
• Brain MRI , which provides high-quality pictures of the brain
• Serum antibody titer (concentration of the antibody), showing elevated titer to measles virus
• Spinal tap for analysis of the protein in the collected fluid
• Anti-measles virus antibodies

Review Date: 09/07/2006
Reviewed By: Kenneth Gross, M.D., Neurology, North Miami, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.