Laurensmom

Here is the full study intro. See the gray tabs at top to choose various sections of the report. http://www.cell.com/fulltext/S0092-8674%28...-0#Introduction Note the connection to other disorders including autism, bipolar etc. I'm fascinated by this research, sorry gang. One would think this is more evidence that PANDAS is a valid diagnosis. http://www.cell.com/fulltext/S0092-8674%28...-0#Introduction

Another article on the same study. U. study links OCD to immune system problem More at DESERTNEWS.COM

... research involving bone marrow transplants in mice suggests an immune approach to treating mental illness More at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/may...-mental-illness Granted there is no plan to cure mental illness with bone marrow transplants given the risk, but it's encouraging to see progress on the immune connection to mental illness regardless.

Thought I'd share this interesting finding. More at link >>>> http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64H3P220100518

I too wish they'd finish the study. Of course I hope the results are positive as well.

I'm old Jens... 40's actually. Regarding canned fish. I have eaten tuna and plenty of it. For some reason that didn't occur to me.

I only do the supplements as needed as well. Right now I'm upping them given a recent tic increase, but I do pull back in a while without any ill effects. Best of luck over the summer.

Here are the results from the first small study: Not sure if this is of any help, but I wanted to share it JIC.

Woops! Sorry Jens. Hope adding carbs helps! I've never had canned fish in my life, so I didn't get the man meal thing, sorry.

Admittedly, I do not purchase supplements from Bonnie G. directly. However, I also appreciate her sharing the info on what to try etc. We have started a multi (again) and a b complex with c. I'm considering adding lecithin. I've used inositol in the past (with some success) but found out that Puritan Vitamins was using a Chinese source for the raw materials. That made me uncomfortable, frankly. So, we're trying to get as much from food as we can. It's very difficult to say what may help given the waning/waxing nature of TS. Regardless, I do firmly believe there is an autoimmune issue at play, along with a genetic propensity of course. Agreed!

Very disheartening. My daughters ped mentioned this study recently when I inquired various testing. She was very open to the PANDAS theory at one time.

I agree fixit.

Posting Bonnie Grimaldi's theory as it seems to pull all of this information together. thanks to Kim and Johnsmom for the link. http://www.bio.net/bionet/mm/neur-sci/1996...ary/022416.html

Kim, JohnsMom - It's amazing how Bonnie's discovery puts the pieces of the puzzle old and new, together so neatly. The following addresses TS/OCD/ADD. The diagnosis would lie in the degree of vitamin B6 dependency/deficiency, and how long the person has been in this state. Carl Hansen, Jr. M.D. of Minneapolis describes celiac disease in several of his TS patients. This could be a pathway to vitamin B6 deficiency via malabsorption. Streptococcal infections have also been associated with TS. This could be a combination of the hyaluronidase's (an enzyme produced by the hemolytic strep that depolymerizes the ground substance of tissue) or streptokinase's actions on the blood brain barrier, the drain of vitamin B6 from the bacteria's own useage, the body's requirement of B6 for immunity, and the antibiotic's B6 antagonistic properties. A pre-exising B6 dependency/deficiency could be uncovered. I read that long ago, but it makes much more sense to me today, than it did when I was overwhelmed with a new diagnosis. Unfortunately until Merck can make some dough off of the histamine connection, this will continue to be poo-pooed by many in the "scientific" community. It seems the new genetic studies fit very well into Bonnie's theory and the notion of an autoimmune connection regardless.

Adding an interesting tidbit or two. * 1. I found that older medical literature describes treating Sydenham's Chorea successfully with vitamin B6. (NOT suggesting anyone forgo antibiotics for strep related issues, but it's an interesting footnote.) Sydenham's choreaPreliminary report of three cases successfully treated with vitamin B6 The Journal of Pediatrics, Volume 19, Issue 2, Pages 201-204 Spain is currently conducting studies on B6/Mag in relation to TS. http://www.trialsjournal.com/content/10/1/16 Per Sherry Rogers ? - B6 helps regulate histamine. http://www.ihavetics.com/Members/Blogs/tab...19/Default.aspx In addition, some recommend balancing B vitamins by taking a B complex, vs. taking B6 alone.

Low carb diets deplete serotonin levels in the brain. I found this out the hard way, after trying one. If you're prone to depression it's ill advised. Here's more info: http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/20...carb-state-mind Go eat some marshmallows! In all seriousness, I'm sorry you're feeling bad and having a bad day Jen. Hugs to you.

Bonnie, I'm interested in the free BBC weblink. Thanks in advance.

I agree. I have been interested in excito-toxins and the glutamate connection for some time. I believe that MSG does play a role in increasing symptoms for my dd. We also avoid aspartame etc. The reason that this research is encouraging to me personally, is that it potentially involves an immune response. I've read various things about how decreasing histamine in the body can raise histamine in the brain and perhaps visa versa? I'm not sure if that's true, but if it is, it could explain why some are helped with antihistamines? Another friend speculated that it may be about histamine balance? Regardless, I look forward to learning more. Thanks for all your research and input Grace.

I think the importance in the study is not in the particular genetic link in this case, but in the potential mechanism and treatment options involved in the discovery.

I found some general info on anti-histamines. I haven't read it through fully but I think it's a useful link. http://www.flashcardmachine.com/histamine-...histamines.html

I have no experience with pandas tests/treatment, but I do have a cyber hug for you.

You're welcome. We have bad reactions to antihistamine as well. Instead of Benadryl making me sleepy I become agitated and wide awake. My dd also gets hyped up. *shrug*

Posting this for the record given the potential histamine connection. http://selfdevelopmentedge.com/the-role-of...min-c-part-iii/

Grace, I'm adding this to your post as well given I've recently felt that vitamin C has been a great help to my dd. I have not read this study in full, but plan to later. Below is an interesting snip. http://selfdevelopmentedge.com/the-role-of...min-c-part-iii/ The contents of this dissertation have introduced a multidimensional model for the attenuation of histamine-related mental illness via vitamin C supplementation. Both histamine and vitamin C affect the human body on multiple levels. Histamine plays many different roles in the body, including neuromodulation, neurotransmission, allergic mediator, inflammatory mediator, and gastric acid secretion stimulator. When histamine levels are in the normal range, the above processes are usually in equilibrium and functioning optimally. It is when histamine levels become too low or high that trouble can arise. One of the roles of vitamin C in the body is to modulate histamine levels; if histamine levels are low, vitamin C administration will cause small amounts of histamine to be released. When histamine levels are abnormally high, vitamin C acts as an antihistamine, destroying excess histamine and thus bringing this chemical down to normal physiological levels. Food for thought.

I agree fully Chemar. It's a new area and monkeying around with the immune system in unproven ways should be approached with caution. I did find this article interesting as I just posted about how I think vitamin C may be helping my dd - http://selfdevelopmentedge.com/the-role-of...min-c-part-iii/ The contents of this dissertation have introduced a multidimensional model for the attenuation of histamine-related mental illness via vitamin C supplementation. Both histamine and vitamin C affect the human body on multiple levels. Histamine plays many different roles in the body, including neuromodulation, neurotransmission, allergic mediator, inflammatory mediator, and gastric acid secretion stimulator. When histamine levels are in the normal range, the above processes are usually in equilibrium and functioning optimally. It is when histamine levels become too low or high that trouble can arise. One of the roles of vitamin C in the body is to modulate histamine levels; if histamine levels are low, vitamin C administration will cause small amounts of histamine to be released. When histamine levels are abnormally high, vitamin C acts as an antihistamine, destroying excess histamine and thus bringing this chemical down to normal physiological levels. If true, this is very interesting!