Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis natural history

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Prior to death, there may be:

• Behavior changes
• Dementia
• Stupor and coma
• Seizures and subsequent injuries

• Death usually occurs within 3 years.

• If the diagnosis is made during stage 1 of the SSPE infection then it is possible to cure the disease. However, once SSPE progresses to stage 2 then it is universally fatal in all occurrences.

• The standard rate of decline spans anywhere between 1–3 years after the onset of the infection.

• The progression of each stage is unique to the sufferer and cannot be predicted although the pattern or symptoms/signs can be.

• Although the prognosis is bleak for SSPE past stage 1, it should be noted that there is a 5% remission rate — this may be either a full remission or an improvement in condition giving a longer progression period or at least a longer period with the less severe symptoms.

• Regardless of the stage that the infection is at, treatment with inosine pranobex combined with interferon can give up to a 50% remission/improvement rate.

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