2005 OCF Grant

Cytokine levels and genes in childhood OCD: A longitudinal study

Marco A. Grados, MD, MPH

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Baltimore, MD)

Award Amount: $43.038

PANDAS/PANS creates symptoms of OCD that can wax and wane over time. Research at the time showed that patients with PANDAS/PANS are more likely to respond to medications and cognitive behavioral therapy.

This study by Dr. Grados and his team aimed to follow up with 20 children with OCD who were enrolled in a genetic study at Johns Hopkins to understand whether each child’s symptoms are chronic or wax and wane. Additionally, the goal was to measure cytokine levels in these children to see how they vary in chronic and “wax-and-wane” OCD.