2014/12/15 by José Fidel Baizabal‐Carvallo, Joseph Jankovic · 5 citations
Medicine · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Autoimmune Neurological Disorders and Treatments #Ion channel regulation and function #Myasthenia Gravis and Thymoma
paper · doi:10.1136/jnnp-2014-309201
openalex publication_date 2014/12/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is characterised by progressive rigidity and muscle spasms affecting the axial and limb muscles. Since its initial description in 1956, marked progress has been made in the clinical characterisation, understanding of pathogenesis and therapy of this disorder. SPS can be classified according to the clinical presentation into classic SPS and SPS variants: focal or segmental-SPS, jerking-SPS and progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus. Most patients with SPS have antibodies directed against the glutamic acid decarboxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme for the production of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Antibodies directed against GABA(A) receptor-associated protein, and the glycine-α1 receptor can also be observed. Paraneoplastic SPS is commonly associated with antiamphiphysin antibodies and breast cancer. Treatment of SPS with drugs that increase the GABAergic tone combined with immunotherapy can improve the neurological manifestations of these patients. The prognosis, however, is unpredictable and spontaneous remissions are unlikely.