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Untangling PANDAS & PANS: Conversations about Infection-Associated, Immune-Mediated Neuropsychiatric DisordersAuthor: Susan Newman Manfull, PhD
Hello and welcome to Untangling PANDAS & PANS, a podcast about two relatively unknown medical disorders characterized by the sudden and dramatic onset of obsessions and compulsions, vocal or motor tics, or restricted eating behavior -- and a whole host of other symptoms -- following strep or other bacterial or viral infection. Sometimes overnight. I have the privilege of interviewing some of the top researchers and clinicians in the rapidly growing field of Infection-Associated, Immune-Mediated Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Thats a mouthful of words that encompasses the strangely named disorders, PANDAS and PANS.My name is Dr. Susan Manfull. I am a social psychologist, the Executive Director of The Alex Manfull Fund, and the mother of Alex Manfull, who died at 26 years old due to PANDAS, a neuropsychiatric disorder my husband and I knew next to nothing about, certainly not that our daughter could die from it.PANDAS is an acronym for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus. This disorder, first defined in 1998 at the National Institute of Mental Health, describes the acute and dramatic onset of obsessions and compulsions and/or motor or vocal tics as well as a whole host of neuropsychiatric symptoms in temporal association to a Group A streptococcal infection. PANS, which stands for Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, refers to a similar symptom presentation -- with obsessions and compulsions or restricted eating being the cardinal symptoms -- due to a broader category of triggers (typically bacterial or viral infections). Both are thought to stem from a dysregulated immune system, probably leading to an over-production of autoantibodies and concomitant excess brain inflammation, particularly in the basal ganglia. Symptoms vary from person to person and range in severity from mild to severe, and generally have a relapsing and remitting course. With early recognition and correct treatmen Language: en-us Genres: Health & Fitness, Medicine Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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S3 E22: Dr. Omar Morales Talks About His Path to LymeMexico
Episode 22
Sunday, 22 February, 2026
A sudden storm of obsessions, tics, rage, and cognitive chaos can follow a simple infection—and families are left searching for answers. We sit down with Dr. Omar Morales, a hematology‑trained clinician innovating at the intersection of infections and immune engineering, to unpack how blood-based therapies can change the trajectory of Lyme and PANDAS/PANS. Dr. Morales explains why he treats the biology rather than the label, then breaks down the roles of apheresis modalities. Red cell exchange rapidly dilutes Babesia lodged in red blood cells. Plasmapheresis removes inflammatory plasma, autoantibodies, and toxins that hammer the brain. Photopheresis, supercharged with photosensitizers, both weakens pathogens and reshapes immune signaling. From those sessions, his lab matures dendritic cells that “teach” T and B cells to target the right invaders—an immune reboot especially useful for Bartonella and persistent viral loads.We explore a practical sequence for severe PANS: “clean the house” with plasmapheresis, then add IVIG, and repeat as needed while targeting infections in parallel. Morales details how environmental disruptors—mold, heavy metals, chemicals, and STDs—can trigger relapse, why diet and microbiome rebuilding matter, and how barrier repair for the gut and blood–brain barrier reduces neuroinflammation. He shares neuroregenerative strategies, from peptides to neural‑derived exosomes, to help brains recover from years of inflammatory wear and tear.What emerges is a playbook for complex, immune‑mediated neuropsychiatric illness that blends hematology, microbiology, and patient‑centered pragmatism. You’ll hear a remarkable case rescued by red cell exchange, the logic behind choosing each modality, and the call for tighter collaboration between clinicians and scientists to speed innovation. Subscribe, share with someone who needs this, and leave a review to help more families find these tools. Link reference in the interview: https://youtu.be/oNI52TIFEGA?si=XLnAzSXWoPAuSKIGDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.Credits: Music by Kingsley Durant from his "Convertible" albumTo learn more about PANDAS and PANS and The Alex Manfull Fund, visit our website: TheAlexManfullFund.orgFollow us on:FacebookInstagramLinkedIn
