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Aspire

Cytokine Correlations in Youth with Tic Disorders

E. Carla Parker-Athill, Jared Ehrhart, Jun Tan, Tanya K. Murphy
JCAP-2015

These findings suggest a role for cytokine dysregulation in the pathogenesis of tic disorders. It also points toward the mechanistic involvement and potential diagnostic utility of cytokine monitoring, particularly TNF-α levels. Larger, systematic studies are necessary to further delineate the role of cytokines and medication influences on immunological profiling in tic disorders.

Antineuronal Antibodies in a Heterogeneous Group of Youth and Young Adults with Tics and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Carol J. Cox, Amir J. Zuccolo, Erica V. Edwards, Adita Mascaro-Blanco, Kathy Alvarez, Julie Stoner, Kiki Chang, Madeleine W. Cunningham
JCAP-2015

Our study suggested a significant correlation of streptococcal-associated tics and OCD with elevated anti-D1R and antilysoganglioside antineuronal antibodies in serum concomitant with higher activation of CaMKII in human neuronal cells. Youth and young adults with chronic tics and OCD may have underlying infectious/immunologic etiology.

Use of Intravenous Immunoglobulin in the Treatment of Twelve Youths with Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections

Miro Kovacevic, Paul Grant, Susan E. Swedo
JCAP-2015
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This case series demonstrates the benefits of IVIG therapy for youths with PANDAS/PANS, including those who had been symptomatic for several years prior to treatment. Although the generalizability of this retrospective report is limited, the selected cases represent the breadth of symptom presentations in PANDAS/PANS and provide additional evidence that IVIG may be useful in the management of children with moderate-severe symptoms.

Therapeutic Plasma Apheresis as a Treatment for 35 Severely Ill Children and Adolescents with Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections

M. Elizabeth Latimer, Nathan L’Etoile, Jakob Seidlitz, Susan E. Swedo
JCAP-2015

Therapeutic plasma apheresis is an invasive medical intervention that should be reserved for treatment of children and adolescents who are severely affected by PANDAS. In such patients, it appears to be a safe, well-tolerated, and beneficial treatment option.

Basal ganglia inflammation in children with neuropsychiatric symptoms

Ajay Kumar, Mitchel Williams, Otto Muzik and Harry Chugani
Journal of Nuclear Medicine–2015

Our findings suggest increased activated microglial cells, suggesting underlying neuroinflammation, in bilateral caudate nuclei in children with PANDAS and TS and in bilateral lentiform nuclei in PANDAS patients only. These differences in the pattern and extent of neuroinflammation signify a possible difference in pathophysiological etiology between PANDAS and TS.

Sydenham Chorea and PANDAS in South Africa: Review of Evidence and Recommendations for Management in Resource-Poor Countries

Kathleen G. Walker, Petrus J. de Vries, Dan J. Stein, and Jo M. Wilmshurst
Journal of Child Neurology-2015

In South Africa, and worldwide, rheumatic fever represents a public health problem. Improved diagnosis and management of Sydenham chorea, a major manifestation of acute rheumatic fever is key to prevention of rheumatic heart disease. This article reviews Sydenham chorea from its original description to current opinions.