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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 E23: Jadin O'Brien Overcomes PANDAS to Excel in Track & Field and Compete on the USA Olympic Bobsled Team
Episode 23
Sunday, 29 March, 2026
Jaden O’Brien takes us inside the world of Olympic bobsled racing, beginning with the grind of multi-event track at Notre Dame to a three-week bobsled tryout in Lake Placid that turned into a World Cup spot and a ticket to the 2026 Winter Olympics with Team USA.We talk through the unglamorous parts: learning an unnatural push technique, handling pressure when one race can decide your entire season, and recovering from a violent crash that left her bruised, cut, and questioning whether racing again was smart. Jaden also shares what the Olympics actually feel like, the village setup outside Cortina, the opening and closing ceremonies, trading pins with athletes from around the globe, and the heartbreak of how a small early missstep can drop a team down the standings before you have time to breathe.Then the conversation shifts to the story that shaped her long before bobsled. Jaden describes living with PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections), including sudden intrusive thoughts, intense obsessions and compulsions, fear-driven rituals, and feeling mentally “blocked” from basic daily tasks. We unpack how families can miss the immune-triggered pattern, what helped her find a path back, and why mental health support, including sports psychology, can be a strength rather than a stigma. Following my interview with Jadin, I had the honor of speaking with her mother, Leslie O'Brien, about witnessing Jadin's struggles with PANDAS and finding treatment for this horrific condition.If you’re searching for real-world insight on PANDAS, PANS, infection-triggered OCD, and resilience after neuroimmune illness, this one will stay with you.Subscribe for more conversations on PANDAS and PANS, share this with someone who needs hope, and leave a review so more families can find these stories. What part of Jaden’s journey hit you the hardest?Disclaimer: 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
