Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
Other names	Dawson disease
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
Specialty	Neurology, Infectious Disease
Symptoms	Behavior changes, seizures, spasticity, poor coordination, coma
Usual onset	6-15 years after infection with measles
Causes	Measles virus
Risk factors	Measles infection
Diagnostic method	EEG, Serologic testing, brain biopsy
Prevention	Measles vaccine
Treatment	Supportive treatment
Medication	Intrathecal interferon alpha, intravenous ribavirin, isoprinosine
Prognosis	Usually fatal
Frequency	2 in 10,000 for all age groups;[1] As high as 1 in 609 for unvaccinated infants under 15 months[2]

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), also known as Dawson disease, is a rare form of progressive brain inflammation caused by a persistent infection with the measles virus. The condition primarily affects children, teens, and young adults. It has been estimated that about 2 in 10,000 people who get measles will eventually develop SSPE.^[1] However, a 2016 study estimated that the rate for unvaccinated infants under 15 months was as high as 1 in 609.^[2][3] No cure for SSPE exists, and the condition is almost always fatal. SSPE should not be confused with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, which can also be caused by the measles virus, but has a very different timing and course.^[4]

SSPE is caused by the wild-type virus, not by vaccine strains.^[5][6]