[Intrathecal administration of interferon in the treatment of SSPE]

Seven patients with SSPE aged from 10 to 19 years received beta interferon intrathecally one million units every second day during one month (in all, 15 million units for one course of treatment. During the treatment signs were observed of irritation of the meninges which regressed after treatment completion. The neurological status of the patients was not significantly changed during the treatment. Control investigations carried out 3 to 10 months after the treatment demonstrated worsening with progression to a further phase of SSPE in 4 cases, and evidence of disease progression within the previous phase in 3 cases.