About PANDAS

 

What is PANDAS?

PANDAS is a pediatric autoimmune disorder characterized by the dramatic onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as obsessions, compulsions, motor or vocal tics [Swedo1997]. PANDAS is thought to be similar to Sydenham Chorea where there is dramatic symptom exacerbation following a strep infection [Kirvan2006].

 

PANDAS is thought to be caused by the following sequence of events in this order:

 

  • The production by the immune system of an antibody that can interact with neuronal tissue [Kirvan2006]
  • A failure of the immune system to suppress this antibody
  • A breach of the blood brain barrier such that the antibody reaches neuronal tissue [Yaddanapudi2009]

 

All three areas have active research results and require duplication of experiments to help reach consensus in the research community.

 

PANDAS is thought to be caused by the following sequence of events in this order:

  1. The production by the immune system of an antibody that can interact with neuronal tissue [Kirvan2006]
  2. A failure of the immune system to suppress this antibody
  3. A breach of the blood brain barrier such that the antibody reaches neuronal tissue [Yaddanapudi2009]

 

*all three areas are currently being researched.