PANS/PANDAS

A Root Cause Approach to Autoimmune Encephalopathy

Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS) can cause sudden, severe changes in a child’s behavior, mood, and cognitive function. Symptoms often appear overnight, leaving parents searching for answers as their once-thriving child struggles with anxiety, OCD-like behaviors, rage episodes, tics, and cognitive decline.

At the Restorative Medicine Center, we view PANS/PANDAS not as isolated disorders but as part of a larger immune dysfunction, triggered by factors within the Root Cause Triad. By identifying what is driving immune dysregulation, we work to calm the inflammatory response, reduce symptoms, and help restore neurological function.

What is PANS/PANDAS?

PANS/PANDAS is a form of Autoimmune Encephalopathy (or Encephalitis), meaning that the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain, leading to neurological and psychiatric symptoms. It was initially described as a strep-triggered condition (PANDAS), but research has shown that strep is only involved in a minority of cases. Other antigens can also trigger this autoimmune response, making the original definition too narrow to fully explain the condition.

Why is PANS/PANDAS So Controversial?

Because PANDAS was originally defined as a strep-induced condition, many conventional doctors dismiss it when a patient’s symptoms aren’t linked to a clear strep infection. However, the reality is that many different factors can contribute to this autoimmune process, and focusing solely on strep leaves many patients without proper diagnosis or treatment. The broader term PANS acknowledges that triggers can vary and that the condition is best understood as a dysregulated immune response leading to inflammation in the brain.

Symptoms of PANS/PANDAS:

• Sudden onset of severe anxiety, OCD, or phobias
• Tics or involuntary movements
• Severe mood swings, aggression, or rage episodes
• Regression in handwriting, motor skills, or academic ability
• Urinary frequency or bedwetting
• Severe sleep disturbances and night terrors
• Loss of appetite or sudden food restrictions
• Depression, emotional instability, or suicidal thoughts

Our Root Cause Approach

Instead of simply treating the symptoms, we focus on identifying why the immune system is attacking the brain and what is contributing to the underlying immune dysfunction. Using advanced testing, we evaluate:
✅ Chronic infections – Vector-borne infections and other persistent pathogens
✅ Mold and mycotoxin exposure – Environmental and internal fungal overgrowth
✅ Immune markers & inflammation – Autoantibodies, cytokine levels, and immune dysregulation

By addressing these root causes, we aim to restore immune balance, reduce brain inflammation, and help children and families reclaim their quality of life.

If your child has been diagnosed with **PANS/PANDAS—or is struggling with sudden-onset neurological and psychiatric symptoms with no clear explanation—**we’re here to help uncover the why and develop a path toward healing.