Monthly Archives:
October 2023

Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment improves multiple neuropsychiatric outcomes in patients with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome
Eremija J, Patel S, Rice S, Daines M. Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment improves multiple neuropsychiatric outcomes in patients with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. Front Pediatr. 2023 Oct 16;11:1229150. doi: 10.3389/fped.2023.1229150. PMID: 37908968; PMCID: PMC10613689.
  • A 5-year retrospective study was undertaken in Children’s Postinfectious Autoimmune Encephalopathy Center at University of Arizona.
  • 12 children diagnosed with PANS and treated with immunomodulatory IVIG dose who completed neuropsychological testing before and after treatment
  • Participants received 1–7 IVIG courses.
  • Improvement occurred in 11/12 patients, in one or multiple domains/subdomains, independently of time between disease onset and IVIG initiation (0–7 years)
  • Improvement was primarily seen in memory (58%), sensory-motor (37%) and visual-motor integration (30%).
  • 5/12 had hypogammaglobulinemia requiring ongoing IVIG replacement. Emphasizes the presumed role of immune dysfunction in disease pathogenesis.
  • 1/12 had isolated low IgA. 1/12 discontinued IVIG therapy due to severe adverse effects
Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated With Streptococcal Infections Manifestations in a Teenager

Sivakanthan A, Gedeon J, Sadaf S, et al. Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections manifestations in a teenager. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2023;25(5):23cr03505. October 5, 2023. https://doi.org/10.4088/PCC.23cr03505

This is a case of an 18-year-old male patient with PANDAS resistant to most treatments recommended in the literature. The patient lives with his parents, was recently home schooled, and has a history of autoimmune encephalitis, OCD, and Tourette’s disorder. He was admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit for daily physical aggression toward his parents.