Stiff Person Syndrome eMedicine Neurology

Description: Synonyms and related keywords: SPS, stiff man syndrome, SMS, stiff baby syndrome, SBS, hyperekplexia, Moersch-Woltmann syndrome, stiff woman syndrome, stiff limb syndrome
Author: Nancy Rodgers-Neame, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of South Florida, Florida Comprehensive Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders Program
Clinically, stiff person syndrome is characterized by muscle rigidity that waxes and wanes with concurrent spasms. Usually, it begins in the axial muscles and extends to the proximal limb muscles, but the severity of the limb muscle involvement may overwhelm the axial muscle involvement (stiff limb syndrome).