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October 2024

Occupational performance patterns in children with paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome.

Newby MJ, Lane SJ, Haracz K, et al. Occupational performance patterns in children with paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal. 2024;72:e12995. doi:10.1111/1440-1630.12995

Read more in a deeper dive Occupational Performance Fluctuates With PANS Disease State

  • Children with PANS show significant declines in occupational performance and socialisation during symptom exacerbations
  • Adaptive Behaviour Composite and socialisation scores were significantly lower during exacerbation compared with remission
  • During remission, occupational performance returned to age-typical ranges across all measured domains
  • Findings highlight the episodic, relapsing–remitting nature of functional impairment in PANS
  • Authors emphasize the importance of occupational therapy during flare-ups and caution against assessment-based misinterpretation during exacerbations
IVIG response in pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome correlates with reduction in pro-inflammatory monocytes and neuropsychiatric measures
Melamed, Isaac, et al.“IVIG Response in Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Correlates with Reduction in Pro-inflammatory Monocytes and Neuropsychiatric Measures.”Frontiers in Immunology, vol. 15, 2024, p. 1383973, https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1383973. Accessed 3 Oct. 2024.
  • Study aimed to investigate the pro-inflammatory state in PANS patients before and after IVIG treatment.
  • Ten male PANS patients (ages 6–16) received six IVIG infusions over 3 weeks.
  • Blood samples and psychiatric assessments were taken before treatment and at follow-up points (4 and 11 weeks post-treatment).
  • Myeloid cell activation was analyzed using flow cytometry.* Significant improvement in all psychiatric assessments and parent-reported outcomes (CY-BOCS, YGTSS, and PANS rating scales; all p<0.001).
  • Pro-inflammatory monocytes and dendritic cells significantly decreased after IVIG.
  • Reduction in pro-inflammatory monocytes was observed both proportionally and in absolute numbers.