Laurensmom

Grace, I too find this exciting news. I am hopeful that it will lead to effective interventions that address a host of issues associated with TS. I'm adding a couple of links to your discussion if you don't mind: More on the original study in the NEJM > http://content.nejm.org/cgi/reprint/NEJMoa0907006v1.pdf https://www.neurorelief.com/index.php?optio...8&Itemid=48 http://molinterv.aspetjournals.org/content/6/2/77.full (snip below) Since the original description of the histamine H3 receptor as a presynaptic autoreceptor that inhibits histamine release (1), along with its subsequent recognition as a heteroreceptor that regulates the release of other important neurotransmitters, there has been considerable effort by both academic and industrial laboratories to develop potent and selective H3 receptor antagonists (Figure 1). Such antagonists are sought for the potential treatment of a variety of disorders affecting cognition (e.g., attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia), sleep (e.g., hypersomnia and narcolepsy), and energy homeostasis (e.g., obesity). The purpose of this paper is to review some of the preclinical considerations, including basic H3 receptor biology, as well as aspects of general drug discovery, that are relevant to the development of effective H3 receptor antagonists for the treatment of these diseases. In addition to the specific advances in H3 receptor antagonist research that we illustrate here, recent comprehensive reviews are highly recommended (2–5).

At this point I'm simply discussing and researching vs. suggesting anything in particular Fixit. I'm not sure what specifically to make of this research other than it could potentially bolster notion of an autoimmune relationship to TS ala PANDAS. Also, I have no idea if promoting dietary changes (by increasing foods that promote histamine) would be of any help, but I'm planning to experiment a bit given we don't have any food allergies. As Grace indicated, it could be a matter of balancing H3 in the brain vs more or less for everyone involved. To my understanding H3 acts like a pacemaker and regulates other neurotransmitters? But again, I'm as clueless as anyone at this point. Sorry I can't be more specific. Posting two more studies for the record: http://molinterv.aspetjournals.org/content.../77.full#sec-14 The complete report on the original study can be viewed here: http://content.nejm.org/cgi/reprint/NEJMoa0907006v1.pdf

Great additions to the discussion guys. Grace your suggestion on balancing brain histamine is very interesting. I also feel that I've seen traits of high and low levels in my daughter. Fixit, here is more info on histamine in general. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histamine H3 is the specific histamine receptor that impacts the brain and thus would be related directly to regulation of neurotransmitters. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histamine_H3_receptor Interesting aside, I've read that B vitamins are important when it comes to helping the body properly convert histamine, notably B6.

Ah ha! I think I found something of interest ... this conversation may explain the paradox Chemar and I discussed above? http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/blog...l.cfm?id=731019 Perhaps this explains why antihistamines have been helpful to some with PANDAS? GREAT info at nutripedia > http://www.nutripedia.com/Amino_Acids/L-Histidine.html There are some natural health practitioners who have used L-histamine for ADHD etc. Seems they may have been ahead of the "science?" http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/Ingred.../lhistidine.htm ( A helpful food list at the link as well). Histidine Food Sources Bananas and grapes, meat and poultry, and milk and milk products are high in Histidine. It is also found in root vegetables, wheat, rice and all green vegetables, though in lesser quantities. Sorry gang, I'm excited about the potential this research merits and wanted to create an information dump (if you will) as I do more digging. Thanks for your patience with me.

More info on various types of histamine receptors. https://www.neurorelief.com/newsletterarchive.php?issue=349 More from the NEJM. Hoping someone here can make some sense of this info. I wonder if at times the body over compensates after a bacterial/viral assault and depletes H3 from the brain in the process? Again, just thinking outloud and posting info for the record. http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMoa0907006

Forgive me Fixit, I'm just excited about an admitted immune connection! I'll second that Amen!

Fixit, that could certainly be. Hopefully, regardless, it might be a clue to an effective, mass treatment down the road?

The last paragraph from the article gives a bit more info: I did read something about histamine in the blood differing from levels in the brain? And according to this article antihistamine meds have a varied impact on the brain depending. It may be a dead end, but I thought that histamines role in immune function was interesting in the context of PANDAS and so on. I'm still trying to research how strep may impact histamine in the brain to see if there is a potential connection. Anyone? I realize this research may sound as if it's opposed to PANDAS, but I wonder if it may bolster the potential connection depending upon how blood and brain histamine react under various circumstances. Sorry, just thinking out lout... Edited for spelling/grammar. sheesh!

They believe that the study demonstrates a potential pathway, regardless, to my understanding?

One wonders how this may be related to PANDAS given histamine is involved in the immune response? http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2010...o-tourette.html More info at the link above. I posted recently that vitamin C may be helping my dd. The following link may explain why. Some info on histamine from digital natropath: http://www.digitalnaturopath.com/cond/C376401.html

Thanks for the feedback Stephanie. I'm planning to continue experimenting with vitamin C when we see an increase. I'll keep you all posted.

Recently my daughter saw quite an increase in tics. I started to administer about 1000 mg of vitamin C about four days ago and I've seen a dramatic improvement. Each day tics have diminished. Now they're barely notable again. Has anyone else used vitamin C with any degree of success? I decided to try it given I think PANDAS may be an issue for us and I wondered how the vitamin would impact my dd if there was an auto immune component to her issues. It's probably a coincidence but there was a rapid improvement so I wanted to bounce it off the group. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

May I ask how the dosing would differ for a child with PANDAS? Thanks again all.

Such a wealth of info here, thanks very much guys.

Vickie, I also wondered about allergies because my daughter gets an increase in tics every spring. Thanks all for the info.

Often times, a few days before my daughter exhibits classic signs of illness, she develops an increase in tics. Is this common in PANDAS? Or is this just a TS thing?

Brief update. My dd said that ibuprofen seemed to help. She's not one to think something is helpful if it's not. Also it seems when she's ill the FIRST sign of illness is a dramatic increase in tics. The tics can come days before other symptoms. I'm going to pursue this further with her ped.

Thank you for the update Lynn. I hope and pray for continued success in treatment.

I believe... this is a great post. Thanks for sharing LJ's Mom. I plan to print it, and read it again and again. I'm the other Laurensmom and I wanted to say hello. At times people confuse us and I get your PM's.

Bravo to you! I wish we didn't have to go through this as parents, but I'm so glad that many of you pioneers are willing. Thank you.

That's wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

Could the remission be from treating the fever with ibuprofen or another immunosuppressive drug?

Thanks for all the great responses guys. I'll try ibuprofen and see if it has an impact for starters. I just received Saving Sammy in the mail so I'll read that as well and check back in.

Hello all, My dd was dx'd with TS and OCD about five years ago. At present, her tics are mostly a non issue. However OCD is beginning to wax. My child did have a strep culture, but I don't believe she had titers drawn? IF PANDAS was an issue, is it too late to know? Or, to get a proper dx via tests? Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Does anyone know of a Dr. in Minnesota or Wisconsin?