Dr. Kaplan Co-Authors New Study on PANS/PANDAS

Dr. Gary Kaplan is a co-author of a new study recently published in the Journal of Neuroimmunology.

The study, “Evaluation of the Cunningham Panel™ in Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infection (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS): Changes in antineuronal antibody titers parallel changes in patient symptoms,” looks at The Cunningham Panel ™ (a panel of laboratory tests created to assist clinicians in diagnosing autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders) as a valuable tool in diagnosing and managing patients with the neuropsychiatric disorders PANDAS and PANS.

PANDAS and PANS are infection-induced autoimmune conditions that appear suddenly in young children and cause a disruption to their normal neurologic functioning.

Parents report symptoms appearing “almost overnight” causing confusion and distress for both parents and child. Symptoms include the sudden onset of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), motor tics, hyperactivity, depression, memory problems, sleep disturbances, anorexia, and urinary problems.

While both conditions share highly similar symptoms, their causes differ.

PANS is triggered by a variety of infections (bacterial and viral), while PANDAS is more specifically associated with the body’s immune response to Group A Streptococcal infection. Because the symptoms mimic psychiatric disorders, children with PANS and PANDAS are often misdiagnosed and treated as having a psychiatric condition rather than an auto-immune condition which requires vastly different treatment courses.

This study is an important step towards the development of more effective therapies for treating patients with these neuropsychiatric disorders.

Read the study –>> STUDY: Evaluation of the Cunningham Panel™ in ..