IVIG improves neuropsychiatric symptoms in PANS patients

Investigators utilized neuropsychological testing on 12 PANS patients to assess the impact of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy on their neurological and cognitive functions, pre- and post-treatment. This 5-year retrospective study was conducted by Children’s Postinfectious Autoimmune Encephalopathy Center at the University of Arizona. ¹

The study participants had been diagnosed with Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and treated with 1-7 courses of IVIG.

Interestingly, nearly 50% (5/12) of the patients had hypogammaglobulinemia (low immunoglobulin or antibody levels), requiring ongoing IVIG. Only 1 patient discontinued therapy due to severe side effects.

Additionally, a delay from the time of diagnosis to IVIG treatment did not negatively impact the effectiveness of IVIG, according to the authors.

Typically, OCD is used as the symptom to measure improvement with PANS patients, the authors state. However, patients often present with a broad range of neuropsychiatric manifestations.

“This is the reason our study focused on additional pertinent neuropsychological disorders commonly seen within PANS spectrum and provided a novel expanded insight into beneficial effects of IVIG comparing to other trials.”

“Overall, our study is complementary to other trials and further adds to the previously recognized positive impact that immunomodulation through IVIG infusions can have on a significant proportion of children suffering from PANS.”