CIMETIDINE AS AN IMMUNOMODULATOR IN SUBACUTE SCLEROSING PANENCEPHALITIS - A DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY

Cimetidine, an H2 histamine receptor antagonist, was used in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients for its immunomodulatory effect. P atients were randomly assigned to cimetidine (n = 7) and placebo (n = 7) groups. Neurologic disability index, lymphocyte functions, cerebros pinal fluid measles antibodies and IgG index were evaluated before and after 2 months of treatment. The neurologic disability index of the c imetidine group remained stable during the study period whereas the pl acebo group worsened. There were no differences in the immunologic tes t results, cerebrospinal fluid measles antibody titers and IgG index o f the two groups. This study suggests that cimetidine may have a favor able effect on the clinical progression of subacute sclerosing panence phalitis. Further studies are required to investigate its mechanism of action and the associated changes in immune status.