Harvard Catalyst Profiles

A rare, slowly progressive encephalitis caused by chronic infection with the MEASLES VIRUS. The condition occurs primarily in children and young adults, approximately 2-8 years after the initial infection. A gradual decline in intellectual abilities and behavioral alterations are followed by progressive MYOCLONUS; MUSCLE SPASTICITY; SEIZURES; DEMENTIA; autonomic dysfunction; and ATAXIA. DEATH usually occurs 1-3 years after disease onset. Pathologic features include perivascular cuffing, eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions, neurophagia, and fibrous gliosis. It is caused by the SSPE virus, which is a defective variant of MEASLES VIRUS. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp767-8)

Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is more general than "Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis".

Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is related to "Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis".

Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is more specific than "Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis".