PANS/PANDAS: Scientific Research Investigating The Roles of Neuroimmune and Epigenetic Factors in Children
An in-depth webinar that explores the latest research on PANS and PANDAS.
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The expert led session examines the roles of neuroimmune and epigenetic factors in children with PANS/PANDAS, and discusses whether these conditions are best understood as autoimmune, autoinflammatory, or 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) present their research findings related to PANS and PANDAS and answer questions.
This 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 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
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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 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
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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 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
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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 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
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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.
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To watch this video on YouTube, please visit https://youtu.be/xYrZ64VTYfo.