Skip to content
knowrare
HealthSignal
Your condition community

Living with Hereditary spastic paraplegia 45

A pure or complex type of hereditary spastic paraplegia starting in infancy, sometimes with intellectual disability.

Understanding Hereditary spastic paraplegia 45

Hereditary spastic paraplegia 45 is a rare, pure or complex form of hereditary spastic paraplegia that starts in infancy.

It causes worsening leg stiffness, a changed walk, and brisk reflexes. It may come with intellectual disability. Joint contractures in the legs, muscle wasting, clubfoot, and optic nerve damage have also been reported.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Stiff legs (spastic paraplegia)
  • Spastic walk
  • Delayed development
  • Intellectual disability
  • Stiff ankles, knees, and toes (contractures)
  • Rapid side-to-side eye movements (nystagmus)

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in NT5C2 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    Spastic Paraplegia Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Expert lists: Spastic Paraplegia Foundation
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Spastic Paraplegia Foundation
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Could genetic testing for the NT5C2 gene confirm the diagnosis?
Which early therapies help with motor delay?
How often should vision be checked?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startInfant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesNT5C2

It is caused by changes in the NT5C2 gene. It is autosomal recessive, so a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: autosomal recessive complex spastic paraplegia caused by mutation in nt5c2; autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia 45; autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia type 45; autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia type 65; hereditary spastic paraplegia type 45; nt5c2 autosomal recessive complex spastic paraplegia

Patient organizations

Broader rare-disease groups

Source: NIH GARD · Hereditary spastic paraplegia 45GARD ID 17477 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Hereditary spastic paraplegia 45.

Explore the Hereditary spastic paraplegia 45 blog

Explore research for Hereditary spastic paraplegia 45

Explore actively recruiting Hereditary spastic paraplegia 45 studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Hereditary spastic paraplegia 45 with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper

I can help you find recruiting Hereditary spastic paraplegia 45 studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

Get Signals for Hereditary spastic paraplegia 45

Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.

HealthStoryfor Hereditary spastic paraplegia 45

Create a living journal that talks back

HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Hereditary spastic paraplegia 45 experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.

Start your journal

Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.