Presentation and Management of Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)

This CME activity curated by Margo Thienemann, MD (Director of Psychiatry Services-Stanford Immune Behavioral Health Clinic) provides a practical approach to the recognition and management of Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, also referred to as PANS. PANS is relatively newly understood, under-identified, and therefore under-treated in clinical practice. In PANS, “medical” infectious and inflammatory diseases present with severe, often debilitating “mental” psychiatric and neurological symptoms. When the connections between infection, inflammation and PANS symptoms are not suspected and identified, the opportunity for clinical treatment may be missed or delayed.  During this course, typical presentations will be illustrated with case scenarios. Different aspects of evaluation will be demonstrated, including physical examination for neurological soft signs. Treatment algorithms will also be demonstrated, and the role of family education, multidisciplinary coordination and need for school accommodations will be discussed.

Dr. Susan Swedo, MD and Dr. Jennifer Frankovich, MD presented at the NIH Clinical Grand Rounds April 20, 2016.  Their Presentation was (1) An Overview of PANDAS, PANS and other Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Disorders and (2) HLA Association and Evidence for the Role of Inflammation in PANDAS/PANS

A 2019 interview with the Neuroimmune Foundation President, Anna Conkey and Stanford PANS Research Program Director, Jennifer Frankovich MD MS