Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare neurological complication of measles, can emerge years after the initial infection, progressively impairing a child’s brain function, movement, and independence. Despite advances in understanding the disease, it remains without a definitive cure. In part eight of a nine-part series on SSPE, mid-day speaks to medical experts, who shed light on various facets of the condition.

Understanding the disease

Viswanathan LG, Associate Professor of neurology, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, and consultant neurologist and epileptologist, looks at SSPE from the scientific and clinical perspective, explaining the disease process, its biology, diagnosis, and treatment options. NIMHANS receives many cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from across the country for testing for SSPE. A positive result from NIMHANS provides strong laboratory confirmation of the disease in a patient, who has signs and symptoms consistent with SSPE.