Abstract
To clarify long-term effects of intrathecal administration of interferon (IFN)-α in
subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), we followed up a patient with SSPE for
18 years, who had been treated successfully using intrathecal IFN-α with response-based
dose adjustments. IFN-α therapy dramatically induced remission of disease and greatly
improved quality of life for 7–8 years, but this was followed by severely deterioration
with decorticate posturing and akinetic mutism. Thus, IFN-α-induced remission appears
most likely to be temporary, even when an SSPE patient shows an excellent initial
response. To improve long-term outcome for SSPE patients, more effective therapy is
needed.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
July 21,
2004
Received in revised form:
July 13,
2004
Received:
May 12,
2004
Identification
Copyright
© 2004 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
