Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment improves multiple neuropsychiatric outcomes in patients with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome

SUMMARY

The 5 year retrospective study “Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment improves multiple neuropsychiatric outcomes in patients with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome” investigates the effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment on children with Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS).

Researchers at Children’s Postinfectious Autoimmune Encephalopathy Center at University of Arizona evaluated multiple neuropsychiatric outcomes in a cohort of PANS patients who received 1–7 courses of IVIG therapy. The majority of the patients were treated with 3
consecutive monthly courses of IVIG at 2 g/kg each. Each of these patients also completed neuropsychological testing before and after treatment.

The findings indicate significant improvements across various domains, such as memory, sensory-motor, visual-motor integration, emotional regulation, cognitive function, and behavioral symptoms, suggesting that IVIG may be an effective intervention for managing PANS-related symptoms. Data did not demonstrate that delay from PANS diagnosis to IVIG treatment negatively impacted the desired effects of immunomodulation. The maximum delay between PANS diagnosis and IVIG therapy was 7 years in 1 patient. Hypogammaglobulinemia was identified in half of the study population, highlighting the role of immune dysregulation in the etiology of PANS.

The study supports the hypothesis that immune dysfunction plays a role in PANS and highlights IVIG as a promising therapeutic option.

LINK TO PAPER: https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2023.1229150