Childhood brain disease caused by throat infection

This research was completed on 2 September 2004

Project Leader	Dr R C Dale, MBChB, MRCP, MSc.
Location	Neuroimmunology Unit, Institute of Neurology, London.
Grant awarded	21 May 2001
Start date	3 September 2001
End date	2 September 2004
Grant amount	£140,537.00
Grant code	SF0971

We do not understand why some children's emotions and behaviour can be changed through illness. In the past decade, there has been significant progress in understanding how the brain is involved in altered behaviour. A recent finding is that children can get severe neurological and behavioural problems following a streptococcal throat infection. This type of illness may affect up to 1 in 200 children. Dr Dale will investigate how antibodies generated to fight the throat infection may, in some children, attack their own brain. As part of this project, a diagnostic blood test will be developed which may allow early detection and treatment.