Emilie Meyer
PANS, or Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, is a rare disorder that can manifest in children with a wide variety of symptoms, including the sudden onset of OCD, anxiety, tics, and other obsessive-compulsive rituals. In some cases, PANS can cause seizures, which can manifest in various forms, including focal seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, or absence seizures. While PANS is not well understood by doctors, it is believed to be caused by the body's immune system attacking the brain, leading to inflammation. This can result in psychiatric and neurological disturbances, including seizures. Early treatment of PANS is critical to reducing the duration and intensity of symptoms and preventing permanent psychological and neurological issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| PANS full form | Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome |
| PANS cause | When the immune system attacks the brain |
| PANS symptoms | Obsessive-compulsive actions, anorexia-like refusal to eat, severe anxiety, violent outbursts, psychiatric and neurological disturbances, paranoia, hallucinations, movement disorders, seizures, respiratory failure, and death |
| PANS treatment | Prompt immune modulation interventions, steroids, antibiotic treatment, immunosuppressants, cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention |
| PANS diagnosis | Testing for active infections, evaluating signs, symptoms, medical history, and laboratory findings |
| PANS and seizures | Seizures are a rare symptom observed in some children with PANS. These can manifest in various forms, including focal seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, or absence seizures. |
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What You'll Learn
- PANS/PANDAS is a rare disorder that can cause seizures
- Seizures can manifest as focal, generalized tonic-clonic, or absence seizures
- PANS/PANDAS symptoms include OCD, anxiety, tics, and hallucinations
- PANDAS is an autoimmune condition triggered by streptococcal infections
- Treatment options include antibiotics, immunosuppressants, and cognitive behavioural therapy
PANS/PANDAS is a rare disorder that can cause seizures
PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) is a rare disorder that can cause seizures. PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infection) is a type of PANS. In PANS/PANDAS, the immune system attacks the brain, triggering psychiatric and neurological disturbances. This can include a range of symptoms such as obsessive-compulsive behaviours, anxiety, tics, and in some cases, seizures.
The symptoms of PANS/PANDAS can vary widely between patients, but they typically present suddenly and intensely. They can also be episodic, improving and then worsening again. While OCD behaviours, anxiety, and tics are commonly seen, seizures are a less common but potentially serious symptom. These seizures can manifest in various forms, including focal seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, or absence seizures. Parents may observe sudden, unexplained changes in their child's behaviour, such as blank stares, repetitive movements, or loss of consciousness, which may indicate a seizure episode.
PANS/PANDAS is often misdiagnosed due to its rarity and the wide range of symptoms it can present. However, early and timely treatment is crucial to reducing the duration and intensity of symptoms and preventing permanent psychological and neurological issues. Treatment options may include immune modulation interventions, antibiotic therapy, immunosuppressants, steroids, cognitive behavioural therapy, and in some cases, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.
While PANS/PANDAS itself is not caused by an infection, the underlying trigger is often an infection, such as streptococcal infections in the case of PANDAS, or other infections like Lyme disease or the flu in PANS. These infections can provoke an immune response, leading to the onset of PANS/PANDAS symptoms.
In some cases, PANS/PANDAS can cause seizures, but it is important to note that not every patient will experience them. The occurrence of seizures may depend on various factors, including the severity and duration of the disorder, the presence of other infections or disorders, and the effectiveness of treatment.
Overall, PANS/PANDAS is a rare and complex disorder that can, in some instances, lead to seizures. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to managing the disorder and reducing the risk of seizures and other long-term complications.
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Seizures can manifest as focal, generalized tonic-clonic, or absence seizures
Seizures are a less common but potentially serious symptom observed in some children with PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome). These seizures can manifest in various forms, including focal seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, or absence seizures.
Focal seizures, also known as focal onset seizures, start in one area of the brain and can spread across the brain, causing mild or severe symptoms depending on how the electrical discharges spread. They can cause a loss of awareness and may or may not be accompanied by abnormal movements. Focal seizures can evolve into major events that spread to the entire brain and trigger tonic-clonic seizures.
Generalized tonic-clonic seizures, also known as generalized onset motor seizures, occur when the seizure activity starts simultaneously on both sides of the brain. During these seizures, a person loses consciousness and experiences muscle stiffness followed by rhythmic jerking. The arms and legs begin to jerk rapidly and rhythmically, bending and relaxing at the elbows, hips, and knees. After a few minutes, the jerking slows and stops, and the person slowly regains consciousness.
Absence seizures are a type of generalized seizure that can occur as a standalone condition or as part of a syndrome such as juvenile absence epilepsy. They are characterized by brief staring episodes, usually starting between ages four and six, and children typically outgrow them. However, in some cases, absence seizures can persist into adulthood or evolve into tonic-clonic seizures.
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PANS/PANDAS symptoms include OCD, anxiety, tics, and hallucinations
PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) are rare disorders that can cause a range of symptoms, including OCD, anxiety, tics, and hallucinations. While PANS can be triggered by various infections and environmental factors, PANDAS is specifically linked to streptococcal infections.
OCD behaviours are a core symptom of PANS/PANDAS, with children exhibiting obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. These thoughts can revolve around cleanliness, symmetry, or harm and can cause significant distress. The onset of OCD symptoms can be so sudden and severe that parents may describe their child as having changed overnight.
Anxiety is another common symptom, with children experiencing increased anxiety, paranoia, or separation anxiety. In some cases, this can lead to violent outbursts or aggressive behaviour.
Tics and other abnormal movements are also frequently observed in children with PANS/PANDAS. These can include motor tics, such as repetitive movements or fidgeting, and vocal tics.
While less common, hallucinations can occur in children with PANS/PANDAS. These can be visual or auditory hallucinations, adding to the child's distress and confusion.
It is important to note that PANS/PANDAS can present differently in each child, and the symptoms may appear suddenly and without an apparent trigger. Seizures, while less frequent, can also occur in some children with PANS/PANDAS, further complicating the disorder.
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PANDAS is an autoimmune condition triggered by streptococcal infections
PANS, or Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, is an umbrella term for a broad range of triggers that cause the syndrome. PANDAS, or Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections, is a subset of PANS and is specifically linked to streptococcal infections.
PANDAS is a rare but severe disorder associated with streptococcal infections. It is considered an autoimmune disease based on a streptococcal infection with a verified immune response. The onset is often dramatic, with symptoms of OCD developing within 24-48 hours. The symptoms include both psychological and physical symptoms.
PANDAS is a clinical diagnosis that requires a thorough medical history and physical examination. Laboratory tests may include a complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, urine analysis, pharyngeal swab, and anti-streptococcal antibodies. In addition, children with psychiatric and neurological signs require analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and neuroimaging exams.
The symptoms of PANDAS include obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviours, and motor or vocal tics. Children with PANDAS may also become moody, irritable, or show concerns about separating from their parents or loved ones. In addition, seizures are a less common but potentially serious symptom observed in some children with PANDAS. These seizures can manifest in various forms, including focal seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, or absence seizures.
The treatment of PANDAS must address both the physical and psychiatric symptoms. Supplemental treatments for PANDAS include tonsillectomy to prevent further streptococcal infections. Antibiotics might be prescribed to kill the bacteria, and other treatments may be provided based on the patient’s clinical condition, including cognitive behavioural therapy or anti-obsessional medications.
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Treatment options include antibiotics, immunosuppressants, and cognitive behavioural therapy
PANS, or Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, is a disease where an antibody made by the patient's immune system attacks a receptor for a single neurotransmitter, producing psychiatric and neurologic disturbances. The symptoms of PANS can vary widely from child to child, but certain core symptoms are commonly seen, such as the sudden onset of OCD, anxiety, tics, and other obsessive-compulsive behaviours. In the worst cases, patients can experience seizures, respiratory failure, and death.
Treatment options for PANS include antibiotics, immunosuppressants, and cognitive behavioural therapy. Antibiotics can be used in long-term therapy, but this can favour the development of antibiotic-resistant organisms. Immunosuppressants are also an option, but they put patients at risk of serious infections. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be used to target the underlying molecular mechanisms of the disease, and there is evidence that CBD may be a useful treatment for mental health and cognitive and behavioural disorders.
In terms of seizure treatment and management, there are a variety of options. Anti-seizure medications are available, and early/preventative treatment can be beneficial. Everolimus is a targeted therapy for the treatment of refractory seizures, but it can increase the risk of infection. Soticlestat is a novel treatment currently in clinical development, which has been found to be well-tolerated and has reduced seizure frequency in patients with DS and LGS.
There is also evidence that certain diets may help control seizures. The ketogenic diet, for example, is low in sugar and carbohydrates and higher in healthy fats, which may help control seizures. In general, specific foods are not known to cause seizures, except in rare cases of reflex epilepsy. However, some foods may interact with antiseizure medications, and it is important to consult with a healthcare provider to understand any food or drink interactions with medications.
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Frequently asked questions
Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) is an autoimmune condition that occurs following infection with Group A Streptococcus (strep). It is characterised by the sudden onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including OCD, anxiety, and tics, often with no apparent trigger or explanation.
Seizures are a less common but potentially serious symptom observed in some children with PANS. These seizures can manifest in various forms, including focal seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, or absence seizures. However, it is important to note that PANS is not the direct cause of seizures, but rather the underlying immune dysfunction that can lead to them.
PANS can be treated with prompt immune modulation interventions, such as antibiotic treatment, to cure the current infection and prevent new ones. Cognitive behavioural therapy and exposure and response prevention are also recommended.
