What is hereditary spastic paraplegia?
Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) Introduction Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP), also known as Familial Spastic Paraparesis , refers to a group of rare, inherited neurological disorders that primarily affect the upper motor neurons . These disorders are characterized by progressive stiffness and contraction ( spasticity ) and weakness of the leg muscles. The severity and progression of symptoms can vary widely among individuals, even within the same family. Anatomy and Pathophysiology HSP affects the corticospinal tracts , which are part of the central nervous system. These nerve pathways originate in the cerebral cortex and travel down through the spinal cord, where they influence voluntary motor control, particularly of the lower limbs. In HSP, there is progressive degeneration or dysfunction of these tracts, leading to the hallmark symptoms of the disease. Types of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia HSP is broadly classified into two categories: Pure HSP : Characteriz...