What is Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS)?

Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) became known worldwide after Celine Dion was diagnosed with the disease.

It is a rare neurological disorder that affects one in a million people. The main features are progressive stiffness. The cause is as yet unclear, but about 70% of people with the disease also have an autoimmune condition.

GAD antibodies are found in the blood of 80% of people with the disease. But these antibodies also occur in people who do not develop the disease. There is no scientifically proven treatment for SPS. Because the disease is very rare, it is difficult to establish treatment guidelines.

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033318220302395?via%3Dihub

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2022-12-01 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025