[Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis]

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a slowly progressive viral infection that develops as a result of persistent measles virus infection of the central nervous system. After a prolonged latent period ranging from several years to more than a decade, neurological symptoms emerge. Once the disease manifests, cognitive impairment and motor dysfunction progressively worsen, leading to global cerebral cortical dysfunction and a fatal outcome within several months to several years. No established effective treatment is available, and the prevention of measles infection through vaccination is the only effective measure against SSPE.