Brain & Nervous System More Neurological Diseases Overview of 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. Learn about our Medical Review Board Claudia Chaves, MD Updated on October 21, 2020 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 the syndrome often have other autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes or thyroiditis. SPS 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 suffer from 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 walkSevere muscle spasms in the arms and legs when the person is startled, touched, upset, or anxiousCurved lower back (lordosis) and deformed joints in the body, over timeFalling 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 Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, or a psychological disorder. The diagnosis can sometimes be confirmed by the presence of anti-GAD antibodies, or other types of antibodies when the syndrome is associated with certain cancers. However, 35 percent of patients with SPS have no antibodies and no associated cancers. 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 azathioprine (Azasan), diazepam (Valium), gabapentin (Neurontin), tiagabine (Gabitril), or baclofen (Lioresal) may be used. Symptoms in those with associated cancers can improve after the tumor is removed and steroid treatment is given. 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. Stiff Person Syndrome Information Page. Disorders. 14 Feb 2007. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Folli F; Solimena M; Cofiell R; Austoni M; Tallini G; Fassetta G; Bates D; Cartlidge N; Bottazzo GF; Piccolo G; et al. SO N Engl J Med Autoantibodies to a 128-kd synaptic protein in three women with the stiff-man syndrome and breast cancer. 1993 Feb 25;328(8):546-51 Grimaldi LM; Martino G; Braghi S; Quattrini A; Furlan R; Bosi E; Comi GSO Ann Neurol Heterogeneity of autoantibodies in stiff-man syndrome. 1993 Jul;34(1):57-64. Piccolo G; Cosi V; Zandrini C; Moglia ASO Ital J Neurol Sci Steroid-responsive and dependent stiff-man syndrome: a clinical and electrophysiological study of two cases.1988 Dec;9(6):559-66. Rodgers-Neame, Nancy. Stiff Person Syndrome. eMedicine. 20 Mar 2006. WebMD.