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Is Tourette's syndrome an autoimmune disease?

Molecular Psychiatry volume 7, pages 437–445 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

We provide a review of recent research findings which support the involvement of autoimmunity in childhood-onset tic disorders, in particular the presence of antineuronal autoantibodies, D8/17 B lymphocyte overexpression, a marker of chorea associated with streptococcal infection, and possible beneficial effects of immunomodulatory intervention. One of the most controversial areas in this field is the validity of the proposed PANDAS concept. Some researchers have delineated a putatively unique subgroup of patients, from the spectrum of illness encompassing Tourette's syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), whose tics and obsessive-compulsive symptoms are shown to arise in response to beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections. They designated it by the term pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS). Herein we additionally present pros and cons concerning the concept of PANDAS. Finally, recommendations for future research directions are given.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Center, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen, 9713 GZ, The Netherlands

    P J Hoekstra & R B Minderaa

  2. Department of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen, 9713 GZ, The Netherlands

    C G M Kallenberg

  3. Department of Biological Psychiatry, University Hospital Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen, 9713 GZ, The Netherlands

    J Korf

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  1. P J Hoekstra
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  2. C G M Kallenberg
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  4. R B Minderaa
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Correspondence to P J Hoekstra.

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Hoekstra, P., Kallenberg, C., Korf, J. et al. Is Tourette's syndrome an autoimmune disease?. Mol Psychiatry 7, 437–445 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4000972

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