Diagnostic Method for Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococci Infection (PANDAS)

Abstract

The present invention provides a panel of at least five clinical analyses or tests (using serum samples) to determine the risk of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and / or pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS) in an individual. These include enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to measure antibody titers against neuronal antigens present in the brain; the neuronal antigens include lysoganglioside, tubulin, dopamine receptor D1, dopamine receptor D2, serotonin receptor 5HT2A, and serotonin receptor 5HT2C. Antibody titers against at least four of these neuronal antigens are required in the present methods; preferably antibody tiers against all of these neuronal antigens are measured. A final assay is used to quantify calcium / calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity using a neuronal cell line. The results of these analyses or tests are then combined using an algorithm to determine whether a PANS or PANDAS diagnosis is appropriate for the individual. Depending on the diagnosis, an appropriate treatment can be determined.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is based on, and claims benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 787,919 filed on Mar. 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention provides a convenient and accurate diagnostic method for pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococci infection (PANDAS). The ability to reliably diagnose PANS and / or PANDAS using such a method allows treating clinicians to prescribe treatments in a more effective and timely manner than currently possible. Such ability to reliably diagnose PANS and PANDAS is expected to allow significant improvement in the outcomes of many patients with PANS and / or PANDAS.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococci infection (PANDAS) is a sudden and severe onset obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or tic disorder desc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a reliable and accurate way to diagnose pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococci infection (PANDAS). This helps treating clinicians to prescribe treatments more effectively and quickly, leading to improved outcomes for patients with these conditions. The method is especially useful for diagnosing PANDAS, a subset of PANS. The use of the present diagnostic method helps avoid issues related to conflicting names given to these conditions. Overall, the invention helps make the diagnosis and treatment process for these conditions more efficient and effective.

Problems solved by technology

A child that used to be comforted by a hug is now inconsolable.

Thus, parents turning to the medical community are often at a loss since currently there are no clinical methods or tests to provide or confirm a diagnosis.

This is why there is significant difficulty in making a PANDAS / PANS diagnosis based upon symptoms alone; indeed, there is even difficulty in agreeing upon standard nomenclature for such conditions.

In some cases, however, tic conditions have actually worsened.

Such treatments can only be used for short time periods due to possible serious long-term complications.

And even where improvements are observed, symptoms often return after termination of treatment—sometimes to even worse levels.

And such treatments can be very expensive—$50,000 or higher in some cases.

Moreover, significant side effects—up to, and including, death—can result from such treatments.

The lack of clinical methods or tests to provide or confirm a PANS or PANDAS diagnosis presents significant obstacles to providing effective therapies to children suffering from PANS or PANDAS and their parents seeking such therapies.

After all, such current treatments regimes can be uncertain in outcome, expose the patient to significant side effects as well as long term, painful, and difficult procedures, and expose the parents to very high economic costs.

Indeed, this need has been unmet since the first identification of PANDAS / PANS in the 1980s and remains unmet today.

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