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Living with Spinal atrophy-ophthalmoplegia-pyramidal syndrome

A very rare genetic nerve and muscle condition present from birth with low muscle tone, hearing loss and eye muscle weakness.

Understanding Spinal atrophy-ophthalmoplegia-pyramidal syndrome

Spinal atrophy-ophthalmoplegia-pyramidal syndrome is a rare condition in which nerves from the brainstem and spinal cord stop working well, causing muscle weakness.

Babies have low muscle tone from birth. Weakness slowly worsens, and it comes with stiffness signs, deafness, eye muscle weakness (ophthalmoplegia) and widened pupils. GARD notes there have been no further descriptions in the medical literature since 1994.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list a separate symptom list for this condition. Based on its summary, features include:

  • Low muscle tone from birth
  • Slowly worsening muscle weakness
  • Hearing loss
  • Weak eye muscles (ophthalmoplegia)
  • Widened pupils
  • Muscle stiffness signs

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. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
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 rare disease patient organizations for support
  • 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
Can genetic testing help find the cause?
Which specialists, such as a neurologist, should we see?
What hearing support is available?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn

GARD says changes in genes cause this condition, but it doesn't list a gene or how it is inherited.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: hamano tsukamoto syndrome; hamano-tsukamoto syndrome; spinal atrophy, ophthalmoplegia, pyramidal syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Spinal atrophy-ophthalmoplegia-pyramidal syndromeGARD ID 4942 · 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 Spinal atrophy-ophthalmoplegia-pyramidal syndrome.

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HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Spinal atrophy-ophthalmoplegia-pyramidal syndrome 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

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