Description

Inflammation can impact the central nervous system in situations known as neuro-inflammatory disorder.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS), optic neuritis, Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM), transverse myelitis, autoimmune encephalitis, Rasmussen's syndrome, Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy of Childhood (ANEC), and Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Ataxia Syndrome (OMAS) are the various types of neuro-inflammatory disorders.

Depending on the area of the CNS is damaged, neuro-inflammatory illness can present with a variety of signs and symptoms are: weakness, lightheadedness, or poor coordination, convulsions, loss of normal sensation, loss of vision, speaking difficulty, loss of memory, reduced vigilance, changes in behavior and focus headache. The other signs may include difficulties with thinking or remembering, confusion, mood changes.

Every youngster who exhibits signs of a possible neuroinflammatory illness will undergo a number of tests. A lumbar puncture, blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spine, and an electroencephalogram (EEG) are frequently performed.

Treatment

Anti-inflammatory drugs and supportive therapies such anti-seizure drugs or physical therapy, if necessary and are used to regulate & reduce CNS inflammation in neuroinflammatory diseases.

Prednisone: A steroid medication called prednisone suppresses (turns off) a number of immune cells in the body. Prednisone is so frequently one of the first-choice drugs used to treat neuroinflammatory diseases.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG): It is a blood product that is injected intravenously and is made up of a collection of antibodies from a large number of blood donors. A protein called IVIG works to strengthen the child's immune system and lower CNS inflammation.

Plasmapheresis: A blood filtering treatment called plasmapheresis involves drawing blood from a patient's vein using a catheter. The blood is filtered to separate the cellular component from the liquid component known as plasma. The child's healthy cells are isolated from the plasma carrying inflammatory proteins and antibodies and they are then reintroduced together with albumin (a donor blood product like plasma). Typically every other day, this technique is performed 5-7 times (cycles). Plasmapheresis is effective in "wash out" the inflammatory proteins that are causing the body's inflammation.

Other treatments: Anti-seizure drugs, antibiotics, and anti-psychotic meds are just a few more therapies that may be added to the mix to reduce symptoms and adverse effects.