A condition characterized by persistent spasms (SPASM) involving multiple muscles, primarily in the lower limbs and trunk. The illness tends to occur in the fourth to sixth decade of life, presenting with intermittent spasms that become continuous. Minor sensory stimuli, such as noise and light touch, precipitate severe spasms. Spasms do not occur during sleep and only rarely involve cranial muscles. Respiration may become impaired in advanced cases. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1492; Neurology 1998 Jul;51(1):85-93)
Also Known As:
Stiff Man Syndrome; Syndrome, Stiff-Man; Congenital Stiff-Man Syndrome; Congenital Stiff-Person Syndrome; Familial Hyperekplexia; Hereditary Hyperekplexia; Startle Syndrome; Stiff-Baby Syndrome; Stiff-Trunk Syndrome; Stiffman Syndrome; Congenital Stiff Man Syndrome; Congenital Stiff-Man Syndromes; Congenital Stiff-Person Syndromes; Familial Hyperekplexias; Hereditary Hyperekplexias; Hyperekplexia, Familial; Hyperekplexia, Hereditary; Hyperekplexias, Familial; Hyperekplexias, Hereditary; Moersch Woltmann Syndrome; Startle Syndromes; Stiff Person Syndrome; Stiff Trunk Syndrome; Stiff-Baby Syndromes; Stiff-Man Syndrome, Congenital; Stiff-Man Syndromes, Congenital; Stiff-Person Syndrome, Congenital; Stiff-Person Syndromes, Congenital; Stiff-Trunk Syndromes; Syndrome, Congenital Stiff-Man; Syndrome, Congenital Stiff-Person; Syndrome, Moersch-Woltmann; Syndrome, Startle; Syndrome, Stiff-Baby; Syndrome, Stiff-Person; Syndrome, Stiff-Trunk; Syndrome, Stiffman; Syndromes, Congenital Stiff-Man; Syndromes, Congenital Stiff-Person; Syndromes, Startle; Syndromes, Stiff-Baby; Syndromes, Stiff-Trunk; Moersch-Woltmann Syndrome; Stiff-Man Syndrome