Hemiplegia Alterans
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What is Alternating Hemiplegia?Is there any treatment?What is the prognosis?What research is being done?OrganizationsWhat is Alternating Hemiplegia?
Alternating hemiplegia is a rare neurological disorder that develops in childhood, usually before the first 4 years. The disorder
is characterized by recurrent but temporary episodes of paralysis on one side of the body. The paralysis can affect eye movements,
limbs, or facial muscles. One form of the disorder, identified very recently, has a favorable outlook. It occurs primarily
at night, when a child awakens, and is apparently related to migraine. These children have no other mental or neurological
impairments. In more serious cases symptoms may include mental impairment, balance and gait difficulties, excessive sweating,
and changes in body temperature. Seizures can occur. Sleep helps in the recovery from the periods of paralysis but the paralysis
can recur upon waking. The cause of the disorder is unknown.
Is there any treatment?
Drug therapy including flunarizine may help to reduce the severity and duration of attacks of paralysis associated with the
more serious form of alternating hemiplegia.
What is the prognosis?
Children with the benign form of alternating hemiplegia have a good prognosis. However, those who experience the more severe
form have a poor prognosis because intellectual and mental capacity do not respond to drug therapy, and balance and gait problems
continue. Over time, walking unassisted becomes difficult or impossible
What research is being done?
The NINDS supports research on paralytic disorders such as alternating hemiplegia, with the goals of learning more about these
disorders and finding ways to prevent, treat, and, ultimately, cure them.
Select this link
to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
Organizations
Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
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or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice
on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined
that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.
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Last updated February 08, 2007
