Stiff Person Syndrome: Clinical Spectrum, Diagnosis, and Management

Weekly Neurology Deep Dive - A review of recent impactful publications in the field of Neurology · Jan 25, 2026 · 13m

Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder primarily defined by muscle rigidity and painful spasms caused by impaired inhibitory neurotransmission. This comprehensive review details how the condition often involves antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and can manifest in various forms, ranging from classical stiffness to complex spectrum disorders that overlap with epilepsy or ataxia. Because early symptoms are frequently mistaken for psychiatric issues or other movement disorders, the authors emphasize the necessity of specialized antibody testing…