Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: remission after treatment with intraventricular interferon

Three children with stage II-III subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) were treated with intraventricular human leukocyte interferon for 6 months. All three improved to varying degrees and for different lengths of time. Clinical remissions were associated with decreased titers of antibody to measles virus in CSF and with reduced rates of intrathecal IgG synthesis. There were no serious complications or side effects. Intraventricular interferon deserves further study as a potential therapeutic agent in SSPE.