rigidity disorder relief

[Guest guest]

I saw this article in the Los Angeles Times (Monday, December 31, 2001).

Thought it may be of interest to some of you.

in Capsules, Los Angeles Times, written by H. Maugh II

People with a rare neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome benefit

from a new immunological therapy, according to researchers from the National

Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke.

Stiff person syndrome is characterized by muscle rigidity in the trunk and

limbs and heightened sensitivity to stimuli such as noise, touch and

emotional distress - all of which can touch off muscle spasms. The incidence

is estimated to be about one case per 1 million people, but experts say the

disorder is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis or

other conditions, and that the true incidence may be much higher.

Dr. Marinos C. Dalakas and his colleagues at NINDS studied 16 patients with

the disease. Half were given intravenous immunoglobulins for three months

and half a placebo. After a one-month interval, the medications were

switched.

The team reported in the Dec. 27 New England Jounal of Medicine that patients

had significantly less stiffness and fewer spasms while they were receiving

the immunoglobulins. At the end of the trial, 11 of the 14 patients who

completed the study were able to either walk unassisted, resume work

activities or remain upright without fear of falling.