Intraventricular administration of interferon and administration of methisoprinol by mouth in the treatment of adult-onset subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

This is thought to be the first report of the use of interferon therapy by intraventricular administration in adult-onset subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. A 22-year-old female patient with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis was treated for three months with interferon by the intraventricular route and methisoprinol (inosiplex) by mouth. There was no obvious clinical improvement during this time, and the cerebrospinal-fluid measles antibody titre remained elevated. The lack of effect of therapy could be attributed partly to the patient's age and to the rapidly progressive deterioration in her condition before treatment. No significant side-effects were associated with this therapy. Further trials of these medications in adult-onset subacute sclerosing panencephalitis are indicated.