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Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis MeSH Descriptor Data 2026
A rare, slowly progressive encephalitis caused by chronic infection with the MEASLES VIRUS. The condition occurs primarily in children and young adults, approximately 2-8 years after the initial infection. A gradual decline in intellectual abilities and behavioral alterations are followed by progressive MYOCLONUS; MUSCLE SPASTICITY; SEIZURES; DEMENTIA; autonomic dysfunction; and ATAXIA. DEATH usually occurs 1-3 years after disease onset. Pathologic features include perivascular cuffing, eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions, neurophagia, and fibrous gliosis. It is caused by the SSPE virus, which is a defective variant of MEASLES VIRUS. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp767-8)
Entry Version
SUBACUTE SCLEROSING PANENCEPH
Entry Term(s)
Encephalitis, Inclusion Body, Measles
Inclusion Body Encephalitis, Measles
Leukoencephalitis, Subacute Sclerosing
Leukoencephalitis, Van Bogaert's
Measles Inclusion Body Encephalitis
Panencephalitis, Subacute Sclerosing
SSPE
Sclerosing Leukoencephalitis, Subacute
Sclerosing Panencephalitis, Subacute
Van Bogaert's Leukoencephalitis
Previous Indexing
Cerebral Sclerosis, Diffuse (1966-1970)
Public MeSH Note
71; VAN BOGAERT'S LEUKOENCEPHALITIS was see under SUBACUTE SCLEROSING PANENCEPHALITIS 1971-78; was see under CEREBRAL SCLEROSIS, DIFFUSE 1963-70
Online Note
use SUBACUTE SCLEROSING PANENCEPHALITIS to search VAN BOGAERT'S LEUKOENCEPHALITIS 1971-78; use CEREBRAL SCLEROSIS, DIFFUSE 1966-70
History Note
71; VAN BOGAERT'S LEUKOENCEPHALITIS was see under SUBACUTE SCLEROSING PANENCEPHALITIS 1971-78; was see under CEREBRAL SCLEROSIS, DIFFUSE 1963-70
A rare, slowly progressive encephalitis caused by chronic infection with the MEASLES VIRUS. The condition occurs primarily in children and young adults, approximately 2-8 years after the initial infection. A gradual decline in intellectual abilities and behavioral alterations are followed by progressive MYOCLONUS; MUSCLE SPASTICITY; SEIZURES; DEMENTIA; autonomic dysfunction; and ATAXIA. DEATH usually occurs 1-3 years after disease onset. Pathologic features include perivascular cuffing, eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions, neurophagia, and fibrous gliosis. It is caused by the SSPE virus, which is a defective variant of MEASLES VIRUS. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp767-8)