The effect of intraventricular interferon on subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

Two patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) were treated with intraventricular alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) via an Ommaya reservoir for 20-57 months. The clinical course of the disease was followed for 20-67 months. Clinical improvement was observed after daily intraventricular administration of IFN in one case. There were no serious complications or side effects during interferon therapy except for the fever. Intraventricular administration of IFN appears superior to intrathecal administration for long-term treatment in several respects and is considered to be a potential therapeutic modality for SSPE.