Pathophysiology, treatment and biomarkers for HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP)
Yamano, Y.; Sato, T.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine 71(5): 870-875
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1852 PMID: 23777097 Document Number: 670308
HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a rare neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system caused by infection with human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1). HAM/TSP is characterized by chronic inflammation in spinal cord, leading to neurodegeneration and consequently the patients with HAM/TSP suffer from unremitting myelopathic symptoms such as spastic paraparesis, lower limb sensory disturbance, and bladder/bowel dysfunction. In the past quarter century since the discovery of this disease, significant advances have been made in the field of HAM/TSP research. Here we summarize current clinical and pathophysiological knowledge on HAM/TSP and discusses future focus areas for research on this disease.