PANS/PANDAS:
Scientific Research Investigating The Roles of Neuroimmune and Epigenetic Factors in Children
CLINICIAN & RESEARCHER WEBINAR
Tuesday, December 2nd at 5:30pm EST
Join leading experts for an in-depth webinar exploring the latest research on PANS and PANDAS. This session will examine the roles of neuroimmune and epigenetic factors in children, and discuss whether these conditions are best understood as neuroimmune disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, or a hybrid of both.
During the webinar, Drs. Dritan Agalliu (Columbia University), Madeleine Cunningham (University of Oklahoma), Russell Dale (University of Sydney, AU), and Jennifer Frankovich (Stanford University) will:
- Present their own research findings related to PANS and PANDAS
- Participate in a live panel discussion answering questions from attendees
Gain insights from leading investigators and engage directly with the panel to deepen your understanding of PANS/PANDAS mechanisms and clinical implications.
This webinar is designed for physicians, researchers, and healthcare providers who care for children with complex neuropsychiatric and immune-mediated conditions. The live event is not open to the general public. A recording will be made available to the public at a later time.
This free webinar is presented in collaboration with PANDAS Physicians Network and PANDAS Network.
Meet the Panel:
Dritan Agalliu, PhD
Associate Professor Departments of Neurology, Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center
Key Paper to be Discussed:
Distinct Th17 effector cytokines differentially promote microglial and blood-brain barrier inflammatory responses during post-infectious encephalitis
Wayne CR, Bremner L, Faust TE, et al. Distinct Th17 effector cytokines differentially promote microglial and blood-brain barrier inflammatory responses during post-infectious encephalitis. Preprint. bioRxiv. 2023;2023.03.10.532135. Published 2023 May 9. doi:10.1101/2023.03.10.5321355
➤ READ THE PAPER
Madeleine Cunningham, Ph.D.
George Lynn Cross Research Professor of Autoimmunity and Infection, The University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Moleculera Labs
Key Paper to be Discussed:
Dopamine receptor autoantibody signaling in infectious sequelae differentiates movement versus neuropsychiatric disorders
Menendez CM, Zuccolo J, Swedo SE, et al. Dopamine receptor autoantibody signaling in infectious sequelae differentiates movement versus neuropsychiatric disorders. JCI Insight. 2024;9(21):e164762. Published 2024 Nov 8. doi:10.1172/jci.insight.164762
➤ READ THE PAPER
Russell Dale, MD
Pediatric Neurologist and Clinical Academic at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead and University of Sydney. Head of Clinical School and Head of Speciality of Child and Adolescent Health of University of Sydney, and Clinical Director of the Kids Neuroscience Centre
Key Paper to be Discussed:
IV Immunoglobulin Is Associated With Epigenetic,Ribosomal, and Immune Changes in Pediatric
Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome
Han, V.X., Alshammery, S., Keating, B.A. et al. Epigenetic, ribosomal, and immune dysregulation in paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. Mol Psychiatry 30, 5389–5404 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-025-03127-5
➤ READ THE PAPER
Jennifer Frankovich, MD, MS
Clinical Professor Pediatrics – Allergy, Immunology, Rheumatology. Director, Stanford Immune Behavioral Health Clinic & Research Program Stanford University School of Medicine
Key Papers to be Discussed:
Development of Autoimmune Diseases Among Children With Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome
Ma M, Masterson EE, Gao J, et al. Development of Autoimmune Diseases Among Children With Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(7):e2421688. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.21688
➤ READ THE PAPER
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Associated with Autoimmunity in Youth: Clinical Course before and after …
Frankovich J, Calaprice D, Ma M, Knight O, Miles K, Manko C, Hernandez JD, Sandberg J, Farhadian B, Xie Y, Silverman M, Madan J, Strand V, Chang K, Thienemann M, Frankovich J. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Associated with Autoimmunity in Youth: Clinical Course before and after … Dev Neurosci. 2025;47(4):251-269. doi: 10.1159/000544993. Epub 2025 Mar 10. PMID: 40064151.
➤ READ THE PAPER