Stiff-man syndrome (Moersch-Woltman syndrome) is a rare disorder of motor function
characterized by involuntary stiffness of axial muscles and superimposed painful muscle
spasms, which are often induced by startle or emotional stimuli. The standard treatment
has been benzodiazepines. An association has been reported between stiff-man syndrome
and epilepsy, insulin-dependent diabetes, and a variety of organ-specific autoimmune
disorders. Antibodies directed against glutamic acid decarboxylase and against pancreatic
islet cells have been detected in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with
stiff-man syndrome. These findings suggest that stiff-man syndrome may be an autoimmune
disease. Preliminary reports indicate that patients with stiff-man syndrome have a
favorable response to plasma exchange and corticosteroid therapy.
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REFERENCES
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© 1991 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
