Overview
Spastic paraplegia-Paget disease of bone syndrome is an extremely rare genetic condition that combines two distinct problems affecting the body. The first is hereditary spastic paraplegia, which causes progressive stiffness and weakness in the legs due to damage to the nerve fibers (upper motor neurons) that control leg movement. Over time, walking becomes increasingly difficult. The second component is Paget disease of bone, a condition where the normal process of bone renewal becomes disrupted, leading to bones that are enlarged, misshapen, and weakened. This can cause bone pain, fractures, and joint problems, most commonly affecting the pelvis, spine, skull, and long bones of the legs. Patients typically develop progressive difficulty walking due to leg stiffness and spasticity, along with bone pain and skeletal deformities from the Paget disease component. Some individuals may also develop dementia or other cognitive changes. This syndrome has been linked to mutations in the VCP gene (valosin-containing protein), which plays an important role in protein processing within cells. Mutations in this gene can also cause a broader condition known as multisystem proteinopathy, which can affect muscles, bones, brain, and motor neurons in various combinations. There is currently no cure for this syndrome. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms from both conditions. Spasticity may be treated with physical therapy, stretching, and medications such as baclofen or tizanidine. Paget disease of bone is typically managed with bisphosphonate medications, which help regulate bone turnover. A multidisciplinary team approach is essential for optimal care.
Key symptoms:
Progressive leg stiffness and spasticityDifficulty walking that worsens over timeBone pain, especially in the pelvis, spine, or legsEnlarged or misshapen bonesIncreased risk of bone fracturesMuscle weakness in the legsBalance problemsJoint pain and stiffnessDifficulty with bladder controlCognitive decline or dementia in some casesMuscle wastingFatigueHearing loss if skull bones are affected
Clinical phenotype terms (15)— hover any for plain English
Autosomal dominant
Passed on from just one parent; each child has about a 50% chance of inheriting it
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventNationwide Children's Hospital
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Spastic paraplegia-Paget disease of bone syndrome.
1 clinical trialare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Spastic paraplegia-Paget disease of bone syndrome.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Spastic paraplegia-Paget disease of bone syndrome.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
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Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What specific VCP mutation do I have, and what does it mean for my prognosis?,How quickly is the spasticity likely to progress, and what can we do to slow it down?,Should I be screened for other conditions related to VCP mutations, such as muscle disease or dementia?,What medications are best for managing my bone disease and spasticity?,Should my family members be tested for this genetic mutation?,Are there any clinical trials or research studies I could participate in?,What physical therapy program would be most helpful for maintaining my mobility?
Common questions about Spastic paraplegia-Paget disease of bone syndrome
What is Spastic paraplegia-Paget disease of bone syndrome?
Spastic paraplegia-Paget disease of bone syndrome is an extremely rare genetic condition that combines two distinct problems affecting the body. The first is hereditary spastic paraplegia, which causes progressive stiffness and weakness in the legs due to damage to the nerve fibers (upper motor neurons) that control leg movement. Over time, walking becomes increasingly difficult. The second component is Paget disease of bone, a condition where the normal process of bone renewal becomes disrupted, leading to bones that are enlarged, misshapen, and weakened. This can cause bone pain, fractures,
How is Spastic paraplegia-Paget disease of bone syndrome inherited?
Spastic paraplegia-Paget disease of bone syndrome follows a autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Spastic paraplegia-Paget disease of bone syndrome typically begin?
Typical onset of Spastic paraplegia-Paget disease of bone syndrome is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Spastic paraplegia-Paget disease of bone syndrome?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Spastic paraplegia-Paget disease of bone syndrome on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.