Stiff Person Syndrome

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that most commonly causes symptoms of muscle stiffness in your trunk and abdomen, with stiffness and painful spasms in the legs and other muscles developing over time.

Symptoms of stiff person syndrome can develop at any age, but it most often begins in your 30s and 40s. Scientists believe stiff person syndrome can range from just one area of a person’s body to a widespread syndrome that affects multiple parts of the body, and involves the brain, brain stem, and spinal cord. Stiff person syndrome is a progressive disorder, which means symptoms can get worse over time, and can take several months to a few years to develop.

In most cases of stiff person syndrome, muscle stiffness in the abdomen, chest, or back muscles is the first symptom experienced. This rigidity causes pain and an aching discomfort that can fluctuate in severity without a clear trigger or reason. These symptoms can also affect the arms and legs. As stiffness increases, some people may develop an abnormal posture that can make it difficult to walk or move. Individuals may also experience painful muscle spasms that can involve the entire body, or only a specific area. These spasms can last a few seconds, minutes, or occasionally, a few hours.

Symptoms of stiff person syndrome, such as muscle spasms, can be triggered after:

Physical touch or stimulation

Unexpected or loud noises

Changes in temperature, including cold environments

Stressful events

The triggers of stiff person syndrome-related muscle spasms can be unpredictable. This can cause some people with stiff person syndrome to develop anxiety and agoraphobia because it is more difficult to avoid the triggers of muscle spasms in public.

Researchers don’t know the exact cause of stiff person syndrome, but they believe it is an autoimmune condition. Some studies suggest antibodies may play a role in stiff person syndrome, as many people with the condition make antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). GAD makes a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps control muscle movement.

Unfortunately, researchers don’t yet understand the exact role that GAD plays in the development and worsening of stiff person syndrome. However, it is important to note that having GAD antibodies doesn’t mean that you have stiff person syndrome. A small portion of the general population has GAD antibodies without any adverse effects. There are other antibodies associated with stiff person syndrome, including:

Glycine receptor

Amphiphysin

Dipeptidyl peptidase-like protein 6 (DPPX)

Additionally, some people with this condition don’t have any detectable antibodies, but ongoing research is investigating whether other potential antibodies may also cause symptoms.

Stiff person syndrome is very rare, as about one out of every one million people has this condition. What’s more, it is twice as common in females, and may also occur with other autoimmune conditions, such as:

Type 1 diabetes

Autoimmune thyroid disease

Celiac disease

Vitiligo

Pernicious anemia

A healthcare provider can diagnose stiff person syndrome by looking for specific signs of the condition through exams and tests. They will ask questions about symptoms during physical and neurological exams. If the healthcare provider suspects stiff person syndrome, they may recommend other tests, including:

Antibody blood test

Lumbar puncture

Electromyography (EMG)

Stiff person syndrome can be difficult to diagnose, as it is rare and has similar symptoms to other conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis, multiple sclerosis (MS), or other autoimmune conditions.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a treatment that cures stiff person syndrome. However, working with a specialist and maintaining symptom control can make it easier to live with the condition. Specialists include:

Neurologists, specifically neuroimmunologists

Physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists

Occupational and physical therapists

Mental health specialists, such as psychologists

Speech therapists

To treat stiff person syndrome, two main treatment strategies can be used, such as:

Medications and therapies for symptom management

Immunotherapy or disease-modifying treatment

Treatment for stiff person syndrome varies based on your symptoms. The goal of treatment is to manage how symptoms affect you and improve your mobility and comfort.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of stiff person syndrome, you can receive treatment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted on January 22, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common type of dementia. It causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills.

In May of 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Lumipulse test, the first blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease.

The Lumipulse test utilizes a blood sample to measure specific proteins, including a particular form of the tau protein. The tau protein is a protein found in neurons that stabilizes hollow rods called microtubules, which guide the transport of nutrients, signals, and other essential molecules throughout the cell. The tau protein can indicate the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain. An amyloid plaque is a buildup of protein that is considered a hallmark sign of Alzheimer’s disease.

The Lumipulse test, along with other diagnostic tools such as a PET scan, can aid in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

Although this blood test can detect changes before any memory issues occur, it is recommended that it be used clinically in those who are showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

The test is approved for adults 50 years of age and older who are having early memory or thinking problems, such as repeating questions, forgetting names, or misplacing things.

The test is not recommended for those with no symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

It is important to note that if you can take the Lumipulse test and receive a positive result, it means that there are changes in your brain that may suggest you have Alzheimer’s. However, these results by themselves do not mean that you have Alzheimer’s disease.

You should consult with your healthcare provider to help further determine if you have Alzheimer’s disease. They may:

Recommend more tests, such as imaging tests or cognitive tests

Suggest lifestyle changes that help support your brain health

Help you plan next steps, such as treatment options or clinical trials

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s, you can receive treatment from a neurologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Meet Our Doctors: Dr. Morteza Modaber

Posted on January 31, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

We are is pleased to introduce Dr. Morteza Modaber, the new Director of Neurology for both Jamaica Hospital and Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

Dr. Modaber obtained his medical degree at Shahid Behesti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran, before coming to practice medicine in the United States. After four years of neuromodulation research at the University of California, Los Angeles, he completed an internship program in internal medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University from 2016 to 2017. He then completed a residency program in neurology at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell from 2017 to 2020, where he also completed a fellowship program in vascular neurology.

Part of what Dr. Modaber finds so engaging about his new role is the opportunity it offers to serve unmet needs for patients living in Queens. “There’s a massive need in the Queens community for neurological care,” said Dr. Modaber. “There isn’t enough access to medical professionals with a neurological background. I’m very excited to be able to help provide that care.”

Both the community he serves and the people that he works with bring joy and purpose to Dr. Modaber’s career. “Our hospitals and the communities they serve are melting pots of different cultures and different groups of people from a variety of backgrounds. I’m very happy to be working in an environment where diversity is celebrated,” said Dr. Modaber.

As Director of Neurology, Dr. Modaber plans to expand the Neurology Department in ways that will allow it to provide comprehensive neurological care to the Queens community. “I want to be able to offer people in Queens the best neurological care they can get in New York without having to take a long trip to Manhattan, Long Island, or somewhere else to get it,” said Dr. Modaber. “We’ve been recruiting a lot of highly-skilled people and are well on our way to achieving that goal.”

We are proud to welcome Dr. Modaber to our team and looks forward to the work that he and the rest of the Neurology Department will do to provide high-quality neurological care to our community.