Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare chronic, progressive encephalitis that affects primarily children and young adults, caused by the wild measles virus. 1 in 100,000 people infected with measles are at risk.

Symptoms

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Characterized by a history of primary measles infection before the age of 2 years, followed by several asymptomatic years (6-15 on average), and then gradual, progressive psychoneurological deterioration, consisting of personality change, seizures, myoclonus, ataxia, photosensitivity, ocular abnormalities, spasticity, and coma.

Diagnosis

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Characteristic periodic activity is seen on EEG; pathologically, the white matter of both the hemispheres and brainstem are affected, as well as the cerebral cortex, and eosinophilic inclusion bodies are present in the cytoplasm nuclei of neurons and glial cells.

Prognosis

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Death usually occurs within 3 years.

External links

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• CDC

Neurological disorders

panencefalitis esclerosante subaguda | Panencéphalite sclérotique subaiguë | 稍尖的硬化全脑炎