Posts by:
Gabriella True

Tetracyclines for COVID-19 Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Manifestations to treat Neuroinflammation

Highlights

• Neuropsychiatric symptoms were reported during COVID-19.
• Coronaviruses have neuroinvasive potential and induce a potent neuroinflammatory response.
• Tetracyclines can counteract neuroinflammation caused by neurotrophic viruses.
• Tetracyclines interact with viral proteins presenting antiviral effects.
• Tetracyclines represent a potential treatment for COVID-19 neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Chaves Filho, A.J.M., Gonçalves, F., Mottin, M. et al. Repurposing of Tetracyclines for COVID-19 Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Manifestations: A Valid Option to Control SARS-CoV-2-Associated Neuroinflammation?. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11481-021-09986-3

Cross Amy, Bouboulis Denis, Shimasaki Craig, Jones Charles Ray. Case Report: PANDAS and Persistent Lyme Disease With Neuropsychiatric Symptoms: Treatment, Resolution, and Recovery. Frontiers in Psychiatry. Vol 12, 2021. DOI:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.505941  

The subject of this case report had a concomitant diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis and PANDAS, both of which are consistent with the neuropsychiatric symptoms she experienced. As evidenced by her recovery and resolution of symptoms, treating both the Lyme infection and streptococcal infection, as well as treating the underlying autoimmune etiology of her neuropsychiatric symptoms resulted in a successful outcome. This case report and treatment history reiterates the complex and challenging nature of infection-triggered autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders such as PANDAS and PANS and that multiple concomitant infectious agents can frequently be identified in patients suffering from these complex neuropsychiatric disorders. The presence of elevated antineuronal antibodies identified by the Cunningham Panel™ provided an aid in the diagnosis and in directing immunomodulatory treatment. The post-treatment resolution of these autoantibodies provided pathophysiological support for addressing both the infection(s) and the underlying immune system dysfunction which resulted in a positive medical outcome for this patient.

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Read more at ASPIRE.

Badenoch, J., Searle, T., Watson, I. et al. Tics in patients with encephalitis. Neurol Sci (2021). DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05065-w

“Tics were most commonly reported in the post-encephalitic period and involvement of the basal ganglia was frequently observed….Despite these limitations, the first literature review evaluating the presence of tics in reported cases of encephalitis showed that tics have been sporadically reported in cases of encephalitis resulting from autoimmune, infective, and unknown aetiology. Specifically, tics have been more commonly reported in the post-encephalitic period and involvement of the basal ganglia was frequently found. Furthermore, the association of new-onset tics and encephalitis, in the background of other neuropsychiatric abnormalities, has clinical implications in potentially improving the detection of encephalitis based on clinical features. Future research should focus on the categorisation and treatment of hyperkinetic movement disorders associated with encephalitis.”