Extended Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment Shows Efficacy in 21 PANS Youth Over 6 months

A new study finds IVIG treatments improved symptoms for up to 46 weeks in certain patients.

Intravenous immunoglobulin is often used as a treatment for PANS, and a study looked at the efficacy of the treatment over a six-month period. The study found statistically significant reductions in symptoms from the start of treatment to the last of six infusions.

The study included 21 patients with moderate to severe PANS as determined by a scale used to measure symptom severity for children and adolescents with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The patients ranged in age from 4 to 16, with an average age of 10.86 years, and were split between 13 males (62%) and 8 females (38%).

Patients saw at least a 50% improvement in obsessive compulsive symptoms for at least 8 weeks after the final infusion, and for up to 46 weeks in some patients. The study also analyzed patients’ drawings, as reduced cognitive ability and writing skill is often a symptom of PANS. The drawings showed an improvement in both detail and mood following treatment. A variety of symptom measurement scales were used to analyze OCD symptoms, fine motor skills and cognitive and mood dysregulation.

The authors write that this study adds to growing evidence that supports categorizing PANS as an immune-mediated brain disease.

Read paper full paper here.