New connection between Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and strep throat found



Obsessive-compulsive disorder in kids might have a brand new explanation. An Israeli research team has found that there is a link to strep throat infections. A condition called PANDAS, it's estimated that 1 to 2 percent of kids who get strep throat develop this complication. Tic-spectrum disorders, such as turret’s syndrome, may also be connected to strep throat infections. Article source - Strep throat may be linked to OCD, autism-spectrum disorders by Personal Money Store.



Strep linked to OCD in kids



In Tel Aviv, there was a team of researchers that got with each other and studied rats. They found out that obsessive compulsive disorders can be cause due to strep infections. PANDAS, Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal attacks is what this is known is and has been a theory. Following catching strep throat or scarlet fever, kids will soon develop Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or tic disorders. Antibodies are overproduced by the body because of the streptococcal bacteria which makes the brain have dopamine receptors attached. This binding changes how the neurotransmitters work, and in some cases leads to obsessive-compulsive disorder and tic disorders for instance Turret’s syndrome.



Strep throat connection lead many to look in the direction of autism



Diagnosis and treatment of autism may be able to get further with the research linking strep throat and OCD. Autism links to OCD. This isn’t always the case but it is much of the time. There are the same onset symptoms for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and autism. Though this research did not find that a strep throat infection "run wild" could cause autism, it could be one more piece within the puzzle of neurological conditions.



Strep helping treat OCD and tic disorders



Knowing that OCD and tic disorders are connected to strep throat and streptococcal infections is helpful. It will help with brain conditions being treated. For kids who show a rapid onset of neurological symptoms, treatment with high doses of powerful antibiotics could reduce the antibodies within the blood that bind with dopamine receptors. Since there has been increased resistance from streptococcal bacteria lately, the issues with antibiotic resistance and over-prescription could be brought back up. Make sure only bacterial attacks are being treated as your children are given antibiotics.



Citations



ABC News

abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=774780



Care2.com

care2.com/greenliving/common-illness-can-cause-ocd.htm



Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PANDAS


CDC

cdc.gov/ncidod/aip/research/spn.html