The treatment of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis with interferon: a case report

A child with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) received intraventricular alpha interferon (IFN) as experimental treatment. The course was monitored by colleagues in pediatric neurology, neuro-opthalmology and clinical psychology, also by monthly EEGS and brain CT scans. Two courses of IFN were administered. During the first course, improvement occurred nearly to the premorbid level of function. About 1 month after this trial was stopped, a severe recrudescence rapidly produced a thalamic state. A second trial of IFN resulted in less improvement. When the brain CT showed severe degeneration, the second trial was stopped. Intraventricular administration of alpha IFN was well tolerated in both courses of therapy. Alpha IFN has promise in the treatment of SSPE but the optimal dosage and duration of treatment are undetermined.