PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Shahrzad Hadavi AU - Alastair J Noyce AU - R David Leslie AU - Gavin Giovannoni TI - Stiff person syndrome AID - 10.1136/practneurol-2011-000071 DP - 2011 Oct 01 TA - Practical Neurology PG - 272--282 VI - 11 IP - 5 4099 - http://pn.bmj.com/content/11/5/272.short 4100 - http://pn.bmj.com/content/11/5/272.full SO - Pract Neurol2011 Oct 01; 11 AB - Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare disorder, characterised by fluctuating rigidity and stiffness of the axial and proximal lower limb muscles, with superimposed painful spasms and continuous motor unit activity on electromyography. Although rare in general neurology practice, once observed it is unforgettable. The general neurologist may see only one or two cases during his or her career and as such it remains underdiagnosed. Left untreated, SPS symptoms can progress to cause significant disability. Patients have a poor quality of life and an excess rate of comorbidity and mortality. The severity of symptoms and lack of public awareness of the condition create anxiety and uncertainty for people with the disease. This review aims to raise awareness of SPS and to improve the likelihood of its earlier diagnosis and treatment.