Flupirtine may stop the progressive course of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

Abstract

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a progressive devastating disease. Along with the slow measles virus infection, apoptotic cell death has shown to be one of the major mechanisms at the pathogenesis. Volume reduction in frontotemporal cortex has seen in patients at early stages of disease. At present, there is no effective treatment to completely cure SSPE. Oral isoprinosine and intrathecal or intraventricular alpha-interferon are anti viral therapies with limited success.