Neurobiology of Tourette's syndrome: the autoimmune post-streptococcal hypothesis

Authors

  • Fernando Machado Vilhena Dias Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
  • Arthur Kummer Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
  • Ana Gabriela Hounie Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
  • Antônio Lúcio Teixeira Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832008000600004

Keywords:

Tourette's syndrome, Sydenham's chorea, streptococcal infection, autoimmune, PANDAS, rheumatic fever, tics

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tourette's syndrome (TS) is characterized by the presence of motor tics and at least one phonic tic. Some clinical similarities with Sydenham's chorea (SC) lead to the hypothesis of a new group of disorders associated with an autoimmune process due to a streptococcal infection (PANDAS). Objective: To review the literature in search of evidence on the existence of post-streptococcal autoimmune mechanisms involved with the etiopathogenesis of TS. METHODS: A systematic review with the terms "Tourette", "tic", "PANDAS", "antibodies", "streptococcal" and "rheumatic" was carried on using the MedLine. RESULTS: The search found 238 articles. Fifty and three articles were selected which also had their references reviewed. The results of studies that investigated autoimmune aspects of TS, including anti-streptococcal and anti-basal ganglia anti-bodies, and immune-based therapy, were presented and discussed. DISCUSSION: The evidences to date are not satisfactory regarding a post-streptococcal auto-immune process in ST. The improvement on investigative methods and sample selection might contribute to this question.

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Published

2008-01-01

Issue

Vol. 35 No. 6 (2008)

Section

Original Articles

License

Once accepted for publication, the manuscript becomes permanent property of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry. This copyright transfer subsumes exclusive and unlimited entitlement of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry to publish and distribute the full contents of articles in whichever publishing medium, including press and electronic media, in Brazil and abroad.

Manuscripts are accepted with the understanding that the Editor and the editorial staff have the right to make revisions aimed at greater conciseness, clarity, and conformity with Journal style, of course without changing its content.

How to Cite

Neurobiology of Tourette’s syndrome: the autoimmune post-streptococcal hypothesis . (2008). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo), 35(6), 228-235. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832008000600004