An evaluation of neuropeptide Y status in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients.

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the neuropeptide Y values of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study comprised 38 patients diagnosed with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis at our clinic, who were being routinely followed-up, together with a control group of 36. Using the Risk and Haddad classification for clinical staging, 16 patients were determined as Stage II and 22 patients as Stage III. Neuropeptide Y values were measured by Enzyme Immunoassay methods.

RESULTS

The neuropeptide Y values of the all patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis were found to be significantly high compared to the control group (p<0.01). The neuropeptide Y values of the Stage III group were found to be significantly high compared to the Stage II and control groups (p<0.05). The neuropeptide Y values of the Stage II group were not determined to be significant compared to the control group (p≤0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Neuropeptide Y can be considered a useful parameter to confirm diagnosis at advanced stages and to establish differences between stages in patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.