Brain & Nervous System More Neurological Diseases What Is Stiff Person Syndrome? By Mary Kugler, RN Mary Kugler, RN, is a pediatric nurse whose specialty is caring for children with long-term or severe medical problems. Learn about our editorial process Mary Kugler, RN Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD on September 23, 2019 Claudia Chaves, MD, is board-certified in cerebrovascular disease and neurology with a subspecialty certification in vascular neurology. She is an associate professor of neurology at Tufts Medical School and medical director of the Lahey Clinic Multiple Sclerosis Center in Lexington, Massachusetts. Learn about our Medical Review Board Claudia Chaves, MD Updated on May 12, 2021 Print Stiff person syndrome (SPS), also called Moersch-Woltmann syndrome, is a rare nervous system disorder in which muscle stiffness comes and goes. Research suggests that SPS is also an autoimmune disorder, and people with it often have other autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes or thyroiditis as well. Stiff person syndrome affects both males and females and may begin at any age, although diagnosis during childhood is rare. It is not known exactly how many people have it. Patrik Giardino / DigitalVision / Getty Images Symptoms of Stiff Person Syndrome Symptoms of SPS may include: Muscle stiffness in the trunk and limbs that comes and goes: This causes back stiffness or pain, an exaggerated upright posture, and stiff-legged walk. Severe muscle spasms in the arms and legs when a person is startled, touched, upset, or anxious Curved lower back (lordosis) and deformed joints in the body (over time) Falling during sudden muscle spasms (may cause additional related problems) Diagnosis The symptoms suggest the diagnosis. However, because it is a rare disorder, it may be misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, or a psychological disorder. The diagnosis can often be confirmed by the presence of anti-GAD antibodies, which are present in 60% to 80% of those with SPS. Some people with SPS have antibodies to amphiphysin, a protein involved in the transmission of signals between neurons. Having these antibodies increases the risk of breast, lung, and colon cancer in these patients. Other tests may be done, such as hemoglobin A1C to check for diabetes or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to check for thyroiditis. Muscle testing (electromyography, or EMG) may also be performed. Treatment Although there is no cure for SPS, there are treatments available. Drugs such as Azasan (azathioprine), Valium (diazepam), Neurontin (gabapentin), Gabitril (tiagabine ), or Lioresal (baclofen) may be used. Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) helps reduce symptoms in some individuals, but this treatment is typically reserved for those with life-threatening respiratory decline. For others, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is helpful. Physical therapy may help relieve symptoms related to prolonged muscle tension, but it may also trigger muscle spasms. Corticosteroids may help as well, though they must be carefully given to those with diabetes. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Stiff person syndrome information page. McKeon A, Robinson MT, McEvoy KM, et al. Stiff-man syndrome and variants: clinical course, treatments, and outcomes. Arch Neurol. 2012;69(2):230–238. doi:10.1001/archneurol.2011.991 National Institutes of Health. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. Stiff-person syndrome. Bhatti AB, Gazali ZA. Recent advances and review on treatment of stiff person syndrome in adults and pediatric patients. Cureus. 2015;7(12):e427. Published 2015 Dec 22. doi:10.7759/cureus.427 Additional Reading Folli F, Solimena M, Cofiell R, et al. Autoantibodies to a 128-kd synaptic protein in three women with the stiff-man syndrome and breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 1993 Feb 25;328(8):546-51 Grimaldi LM, Martino G, Braghi S, et al. Heterogeneity of autoantibodies in stiff-man syndrome. Ann Neurol .1993 Jul;34(1):57-64. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Stiff Person Syndrome Information Page. Disorders. 14 Feb 2007. Piccolo G, Cosi V, Zandrini C, Moglia ASO, Ital J. Steroid-responsive and dependent stiff-man syndrome: a clinical and electrophysiological study of two cases. Neurol Sci. 1988 Dec;9(6):559-66.