Completed and Ongoing Research

References to research can be found throughout this website.  The following are listings of current research,  completed research and important articles.

Current and Ongoing Research

• Blood Test Study for PANDAS Cases by Dr. Madeleine Cunningham, Research Professor/Microbiologist/Immunologist at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Some researchers have developed a preliminary test that measure cross-reactive antibodies that are elevated in a PANDAS child’s brains.  Many children are getting assistance with PANDAS treatment from Immunologists if the results of this blood test indicate PANDAS-like antibody levels.This study is no longer accepting new applicants. For more information on Dr Cunningham’s work, you can also visit our Summary of her 2011 Autism One Presentation and the article “Friendly Fire”.

• “Do Children with PANDAS Improve with IVIG?” NIH IVIG Study

• Possible Test for PANDAS-Looking at the Basal Ganglia Dr. Harry Chugani

Completed Research and Important Articles :

• Neurocognitive functioning in youth with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus (2011)

• “Immune and Endocrine Function in Child and Adolescent OCD” (Chapter from “Handbook of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents” 2011)

• Clinical factors Associated with PANDAS  (Journal of Pediatric 2011)

• “TAU research links obsessive-compulsive disorder to common childhood illness“  (November 2010)- Article by Tel Aviv University:  Strep can lead to brain dysfunction and OCD – research to be published in 2010/2011 by   Prof. Daphne Joel and Dr. Madeleine Cunningham.

• Immunology of Tourettes, Pediatric Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus and Associated Disorders:  A Way Forward (November 2010) Journal of Child Psychopharmacology – Nov. 2010 – Drs. Tanya Murphy, Roger Kurlan and James Leckman. This is a LANDMARK PAPER – Complete Overview of PANDAS studies/history – GOOD PAPER TO TAKE TO YOUR DOCTOR
  

•  Autoimmune Disease in Moms Boosts Likelihood of Tics, OCD in Kids (Clinical Psychiatry News 2011).

• Antibodies to Strep Throat Bacteria Linked to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Mice:Columbia University Study (Aug 2009)