| There is a health condition recognized in the | | | | obsessive-compulsive behavior, while in others the |
| biomedical field for autism and related disorders | | | | OCD is severe. Even though PANDAS remains a |
| called PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune | | | | controversial topic in medicine it is reported that |
| Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with | | | | PANDAS can cause or exacerbate Tics, |
| Streptococcal infections). This is a condition | | | | Tourettes, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. |
| caused by an immune reaction triggered by the | | | | Approximately, 25% of individuals who have one |
| presence of Group A Beta-Hemolytic | | | | or more of these conditions have what appears |
| Streptococcal infection. Various strep bacteria | | | | to be PANDAS. |
| produce toxins as part of their infectious nature. | | | | Unfortunately, treatment options are limited, |
| The immune system responds in an attempt to | | | | although certain biomedical autism treatments |
| neutralize and eradicate the toxins. However, this | | | | such as low dose naltrexone, dietary intervention |
| immune-toxin (aka: antibody-antigen complex) | | | | such as the gluten and casein-free diet, and |
| reaction creates immune complexes which are | | | | various supplements that support normal immune |
| deposited in various tissues of the body. If these | | | | function such as Transfer Factor can be helpful in |
| immune complexes land in the kidneys there is an | | | | reducing the overall reactivity of the immune |
| immune reaction called post-streptococcal | | | | system, PANDAS remains a difficult thing to treat. |
| glomerulonephritis, in the heart it is called | | | | Some individuals respond quite well to antibiotics. I |
| rheumatic fever, and in the brain PANDAS can | | | | have seen in cases where a short course of |
| ensue. | | | | antibiotics, such as 10 to 14 days of Keflex, |
| This autoimmune reaction (self-directed immune | | | | Penicillin or Zithromax definitely helps, particularly |
| reaction to body tissue) in PANDAS is directed to | | | | with the OCD behaviors. In other situations more |
| the Basal Ganglia area in the brain. This area has | | | | advanced biomedical therapies such as intravenous |
| been associated with disorders such as | | | | immunoglobulins (IVIG) are needed to short-circuit |
| obsessive-compulsiveness (OCD), strange body | | | | the autoimmune response. Plasmapheresis, which |
| posturing/movements called chorea, and the | | | | is a blood cleansing process performed to help |
| typical TIC movements (quick jerking or vocal | | | | diminish the immune-toxin reactions, has shown |
| tics) associated with Tourette's Syndrome. With | | | | benefit for some individuals. Unfortunately, no |
| obsessive-compulsive behavior anxiety is usually a | | | | treatment is 100% effective for everyone, and |
| major problem. | | | | some people remain symptomatic even after |
| Some individuals on the autism-spectrum suffer | | | | medical intervention. |
| with extreme anxiety, but without | | | | |