Diseases Studied
The Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network is an NIH-funded research network of 21 active consortia or research groups working to advance treatment for diseases that are rare. Use the search tools on this page to find the diseases we currently study. You can reach out to the indicated consortia or research groups for more information on those diseases and studies underway.
This network focuses on clinical research and does not generally support clinical care outside of research activities. To learn about other rare diseases, please visit the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD), which is an NIH program that helps the public find reliable information about rare and genetic diseases. Their staff are specialists. Contact them at 1-888-205-2311 or email GARDinfo@nih.gov.
All Diseases > Blepharospasm/Meige
Blepharospasm/Meige (BSP)
Alternative Names: Benign Essential Blepharospasm (BEB)
Disease Category: Dystonias
A rare disorder listed among adult-onset focal (localized) dystonias (involuntary muscle twitching) which affects the nerves that send signals to the muscles surrounding both eyes. Symptoms include intermittent (coming and going), involuntary spasms, or contractions, of the muscles around both eyes. This causes forced blinking, eye irritation, and involuntary closure of the eyes, causing "functional blindness." Bright lights, eye strain, emotional stress, environmental pollutants, and fatigue may trigger symptom onset. When both the eyes and mouth are affected, the diagnosis is craniofacial dystonia, sometimes called Meige syndrome. A related but relatively uncommon problem is oromandibular dystonia, when only the lower face, jaw, and tongue are involved.