subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

noun

subacute sclerosing pan·​en·​ceph·​a·​li·​tis -ˌpan-in-ˌse-fə-ˈlī-təs How to pronounce subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (audio)
: a usually fatal neurological disease of children and young adults caused by infection of the brain by a previously latent measles virus that is marked especially by behavioral changes, myoclonic seizures, progressive deterioration of motor and mental functioning, and coma

Examples of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In rare cases, people can experience a brain disease called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis that develops seven to 10 years after infection and leads to memory loss, involuntary movements, seizures, blindness and eventually death. Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 And on rare occasions, people who have had measles years before will develop a fatal condition called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, when viruses that have lingered in their central nervous system reactivate. Helen Branswell, STAT, 22 Feb. 2024 Less talked about, Offit said, is an extremely rare condition, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, or SSPE, a fatal disorder of the brain that can manifest about seven years after a measles infection. Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

panencephalitis from New Latin, from pan- + encephalitis

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis was in 1950

Dictionary Entries Near subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

subacute

subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

subadolescent

Cite this Entry

“Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subacute%20sclerosing%20panencephalitis. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

noun
: a usually fatal neurological disease of children and young adults that is caused by infection of the brain by a previously latent morbillivirus causing measles and that is marked especially by behavioral changes, myoclonic seizures, progressive deterioration of motor and mental functioning, and coma
abbreviation SSPE

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