NIH Clinical Research Studies

Protocol Number: 92-M-0132

Active Followup, Protocols NOT Recruiting New Patients

Title:
Treatment of Sydenham Chorea with Plasma Exchange or Prednisone
Number:
92-M-0132
Summary:
Sydenham chorea (SC) is an uncommon autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder. It is a result of an abnormal immune reaction to a bacterial throat infection (streptococcal pharyngitis). Children with this disorder have abnormal bodily movements (chorea) and psychiatric symptoms, particularly mood swings (emotional lability), inattention, and obsessive compulsive symptoms. Although thought to be a mild self resolving disorder, children with SC can be severely disabled for many months as a result of the movements, may have multiple recurrences over the subsequent years, and can suffer from disabling cardiac, neurologic, and psychiatric symptoms for many years after the initial episode.

Presently there is no cure for Sydenham chorea. Some medical treatment exists for control of the movement symptoms.

Previous research comparing the steroid prednisone (PDN), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and plasma exchange (PEX), has shown IVIG and PEX to be superior choices for treatment of the first episode of SC. However, the results are preliminary findings and have not yet reached statistical significance. Researchers will stop testing IVIG therapy and lower the amount of patients involved in the study in order to achieve statistical significance.

This study will continue to compare the remaining 2 therapies for SC, PDN and PEX.

Sponsoring Institute:
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Recruitment Detail
Type: Follow-up Of Previously Enrolled Subjects Only
Gender: Male & Female
Referral Letter Required: Yes
Population Exclusion(s): None

Eligibility Criteria: This study is not currently recruiting new subjects. If you have questions about participating in a study, please contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, CC.
Special Instructions:
Follow-up appointments required for one year after treatment
Disease Category:
PROTICD
Keywords:
Sydenham Chorea
Cortical Stimulation
Magnetic Stimulation
Immunomodulatory Treatments
Antibody Mediated Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Recruitment Keywords:
None
Conditions:
Autoimmune Disease
Mental Disorder Diagnosed in Childhood
Rheumatic Fever
Streptococcal Infection
Sydenham Chorea
Investigational Drug(s):
None
Investigational Device(s):
None

Contacts:
This study is not currently recruiting new subjects. If you have questions about participating in a study, please contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, CC.

Citations:
Case study: A new infection-triggered, autoimmune subtype of pediatric OCD and Tourette's syndrome

Sydenham's chorea: A model for childhood autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders

Rheumatic fever: the interplay between host, genetics and microbe

Active Followup, Protocols NOT Recruiting New Patients

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