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Living with Hereditary spastic paraplegia 63

An extremely rare, complex type of hereditary spastic paraplegia starting in infancy, with short stature and normal thinking.

Understanding Hereditary spastic paraplegia 63

Hereditary spastic paraplegia 63 (SPG63) is an extremely rare, complex form of hereditary spastic paraplegia that starts in infancy.

Children walk late and have a scissors-like walk. They are also short in height, with normal thinking skills. Brain imaging shows changes in the white matter around the fluid spaces and in the corpus callosum.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Stiff muscles (spasticity)
  • Scissors-like walk
  • Delayed motor skills
  • Short stature
  • Brisk reflexes
  • Muscle wasting

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 AMPD2 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 AMPD2 gene confirm the diagnosis?
Which therapies help with walking and growth?
What do the brain imaging changes mean for my child?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startInfant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesAMPD2

It is caused by changes in the AMPD2 gene. It is autosomal recessive, so a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: ampd2 autosomal recessive complex spastic paraplegia; autosomal recessive complex spastic paraplegia caused by mutation in ampd2; autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia 63; autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia type 63; hereditary spastic paraplegia type 63; spastic paraplegia 63

Patient organizations

Broader rare-disease groups

Source: NIH GARD · Hereditary spastic paraplegia 63GARD ID 17658 · 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 63.

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