J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2001 Nov;40(6):1204-1213.

Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder and Tic Symptom Exacerbation in Tourette's Disorder: Comparision of Treatment Modalities

• Joung Y
• Yang Y
• Lee M
• Ko HJ
• Chung Y
• Lee H

Abstract

OBJECT: The purpose of this study was to investigate that infection with group A[beta] hemolytic streptococcus may associate the mechanisms that cause or exacerbate some cases of Tourette's disorder and to evaluate the treatment effect of IG therapy, comparing between IG therapy and drug therapy. METHOD: The subjects were divided into three groups composing of the groups with increasing level of ASO titer and the group with normal level of ASO titer, treating with antipsychotics. Children with infection-triggered exacerbation of Tourette's disorder were assigned treatment with IVIG (400mg/kg/daily on 5 consecutive days) or antipsychotic drugs. Symptom severity was rated at baseline, and at 4weeks, at at 8weeks after treatment by use of standard assessment scale of tics.
RESULTS
1) The motor tic score, global severity scores and overall TS impairment rating scores of YGTSS in the group with incresing level of ASO titer were related with ASO titer. 2) Immune therapy was more effective in the group with incresing level of ASO titer than antipsychotic drug therapy.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that increasing level of ASO titer, resulting from group A[beta] hemolytic streptococcal infection has affected worsening the tic symptoms in Touette's disorder and in group with increasing level of ASO titer, IVIG therapy is more effective than drug therapy.

Keyword

Streptococcal infection; Tourette's disorder; Immune therapy

MeSH Terms

Antipsychotic Agents
Child
Drug Therapy
Humans
Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
Streptococcal Infections
Streptococcus
Tics*
Tourette Syndrome*
Antipsychotic Agents
Immunoglobulins, Intravenous