The bacterial basis of OCD

[Guest guest]

From another link at the healing crow website:http://personalmd.com/news/a1996111802.shtmlStrep Link To Obsessive-compulsive DisorderNEW YORK (Reuters) -- Strep throat may trigger some cases of childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), reported researchers from National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) at an American Medical Association (AMA) press conference."A bacteria trigger for an autoimmune response" can lead to a worsening of obsessive-compulsive disorder, reported Dr. E. Swedo, head of the section on behavioral pediatrics at the NIMH. "Penicillin... to keep these children from having recurrent strep infections might effectively prevent exacerbations of their obsessive-compulsive disorder," she said.

[Guest guest]

Mara,

This is the basis for PANDAS. ( Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep) Swedo's study has opened the door for more exploration. This is what my son has, except these children exhibit tics as well. They are frequently misdiagnosed with Tourette's. They are usually immunodeficient and prone to OCD.

The Strep exhibits 'molecular mimicry'----immune complexes that the body forms to fight the strep, consisting of complement and cytokines, somehow breach the Blood Brain Barrier(BBB) and attack the basal ganglia of the brain because it 'looks' like strep to these immune complexes. The child exhibits symptoms of OCD, tics, rage, defiance, etc. The mechanism for which the BBB is breached is unknown, postulated to be weakened by inflammation.

Some people postulate that it does not have to be strep as the causative agent, it could be other bacteria.

Terry

[Guest guest]

Hey Terry,What wasn't clear to me is if they thought all OCD was bacterial based or if some of itoccurs for other reasons. MaraMara, This is the basis for PANDAS. ( Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep) Swedo's study has opened the door for more exploration. This is what my son has, except these children exhibit tics as well. They are frequently misdiagnosed with Tourette's. They are usually immunodeficient and prone to OCD. The Strep exhibits 'molecular mimicry'----immune complexes that the body forms to fight the strep, consisting of complement and cytokines, somehow breach the Blood Brain Barrier(BBB) and attack the basal ganglia of the brain because it 'looks' like strep to these immune complexes. The child exhibits symptoms of OCD, tics, rage, defiance, etc. The mechanism for which the BBB is breached is unknown, postulated to be weakened by inflammation. Some people postulate that it does not have to be strep as the causative agent, it could be other bacteria. Terry