Tourette's syndrome and ‘PANDAS’ Will the relation bear out?
Citation Manager Formats
Make Comment
See Comments

Abstract
Despite strong evidence of the importance of hereditary factors in the etiology of Tourette's syndrome (TS), research findings have consistently pointed to a role of environmental influences. A recent line of research has suggested that tic disorders and associated behavioral disturbances, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, might develop following streptococcal infection by the process of molecular mimicry, whereby antibodies directed against bacterial antigens cross-react with brain targets. Such investigations have given rise to the notion that there is a spectrum of childhood neurobehavioral disorders (termed pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection [PANDAS]) that arise by postinfectious autoimmune mechanisms. This article reviews research results supporting the concept of PANDAS and discusses their limitations. Well-designed and adequately controlled studies are needed to determine whether there is a true etiologic relation between streptococcal infection and the onset or exacerbation of childhood neuropsychiatric disorders and whether the use of immune-modifying therapies for these conditions is rational.
- © 1998 by the American Academy of Neurology.
Disputes & Debates: Rapid online correspondence
REQUIREMENTS
If you are uploading a letter concerning an article:
You must have updated your disclosures within six months: http://submit.neurology.org
Your co-authors must send a completed Publishing Agreement Form to Neurology Staff (not necessary for the lead/corresponding author as the form below will suffice) before you upload your comment.
If you are responding to a comment that was written about an article you originally authored:
You (and co-authors) do not need to fill out forms or check disclosures as author forms are still valid
and apply to letter.
Submission specifications:
- Submissions must be < 200 words with < 5 references. Reference 1 must be the article on which you are commenting.
- Submissions should not have more than 5 authors. (Exception: original author replies can include all original authors of the article)
- Submit only on articles published within 6 months of issue date.
- Do not be redundant. Read any comments already posted on the article prior to submission.
- Submitted comments are subject to editing and editor review prior to posting.
You May Also be Interested in
Related Articles
- No related articles found.