We are tremendously pleased to inform our PANDAS PANS families that    Dr. Chris Pittenger, MD, PhD of Yale University has been awarded an NIMH Grant for $3 million grant from to study the blood samples of >350 children with PANDAS-PANS to identify specific antibodies that may cause the disorder.

PANDAS Network was established in 2013 to begin this broader research with the NIMH-YALE IVIG study.  We parents are forever grateful in the diligence of the entire consortium in persisting in research even where sorely underfunded.  Parents, as well, your heroism and kindness to fund grants and publicize this disease model is heard by the NIMH and leading researchers. 

Dr. Pittenger, MD, Ph.D., is a Mears and Jameson Professor of Psychiatry and Professor in the Child Study Center, Deputy Chair for Translational Research in Psychiatry, and Director of the Center for Brain and Mind Health at Yale University.  Dr. Pittenger also serves as Scientific Advisory Board member of PANDAS Network.

In 2019, PANDAS Network shared Dr. Pittenger’s critical finding that misdirected autoantibodies found in 27 children with PANDAS target a specific population of interneurons, the cholinergic interneurons, in the basal ganglia of the brain.  These interneurons have already been shown, by Pittenger’s group and other, to be involved in the development of tics and anxiety. 

This new study will validate and extend this finding.  Specifically:  

First, do the antibodies bind to and inhibit cholinergic interneurons (CINs). These interneurons regulate the striatum and various parts of the brain that active mood and movement. If these CINs are inhibited their regulatory function would be impacted; and, therefore can create symptoms involving mood and movement disorders. Pittenger and his team will study a large cohort of >350 children, from clinics at Stanford, MGH, and Columbia, to test whether similar antibodies are present in PANS more generally, and whether the binding to CINs is associated with any particular type of symptomatology.

Second, the team will use a state-of-the-art screening technique to identify the specific molecular targets of these antibodies. 

Third, a subset of children with PANDAS and PANS will be selected to isolate the individual B cells that produce monoclonal antibodies against the identified molecular targets.  This will help in the even more specific identification of disease specific antibodies when PANDAS and PANS occurs. 

For specific details please see the NIMH Link Provided here.

Double Your Donation Thru December 31

We have received a generous donation of $20,000 and Promise to Match for any donations given through the end of 2022.  Donations small and large, shoe drives, t-shirt sales and monthly donations, have allowed PANDAS NETWORK to raise $70K for Research in 2023. We would like to again give $100K out to New Investigators of PANDAS PANS Research in 2023.  Thank you for your help with our successful campaign to give out grants every year.  Our persistent researchers have proven scientifically that this difficult disease happens. This is beginning to push major medical groups to consider our cases.  We just need to keep going! Donate today.

IMPORTANT ALERT for FAMILIES

INVASIVE Group A Strep in the United States & UK

International and US News Reports are cautioning us about the recent rise in the UK of invasive Group A Strep. NOT ALL GROUP A STREP is virulent and invasive.  But please do keep aware of your local news.  We will report anything new that we learn about the type of strain of Group A that this is that is circulating.  The CDC has begun surveillance to alert medical facilities nationwide.  Rest assured doctors are being mindful of strep and its variability (checking swabs, 48 hour test, blood work if symptoms persist, etc) so this is a very good development.

The NBC article below published here states an unusual rise in hospitalized cases of an invasive Strep A strain in states like Arizona, Colorado, Texas and Washington. 2 children have died on Colorado.  CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE

Follow PANDAS Network on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest news in PANDAS/PANS research and advocacy.