S3 E25: Journalist Jessica Slice Talks about her Article on PANS/PANDAS in New York Magazine

Your kid gets a routine cold, and a week later they can’t sleep, can’t eat, can’t speak normally, can’t control their body, and the hospital tells you it’s “psychiatric.” That gap between what families see at home and what many clinicians are willing to consider is where PANS and PANDAS patients get stranded, and it’s why this conversation matters.We’re joined by journalist and author Jessica Slice, whose major New York Magazine article brought infection-associated neuroimmune disorders to a massive audience. Jessica walks us through her daughter Rose’s sudden crash after illness, the lack of medical curiosity she encountered in emergency care, and the moment antibiotics and NSAIDs offered the first real signal that inflammation and immune dysfunction might be driving the chaos. We also talk candidly about what it feels like to leave the “safe” system and chase care out of pocket when your child is in crisis.From there, we zoom out to the science and the stakes: what PANDAS and PANS actually are, why the psychiatry vs neurology split keeps slowing progress, and how medical skepticism becomes policy through guidelines. Jessica describes her call with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the questions families need answered, and how reports can influence insurance coverage denials for treatments like IVIG. We end with a grounded update on Rose, the realities of recovery, and what advocacy looks like when you’re still living it.If you found this helpful, subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more families and clinicians can find these stories and the science behind them.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

In this episode, we trace Dr. Swedo’s path from pediatrics to the National Institute of Mental Health and the early clinical observations that linked Sydenham chorea, rheumatic fever, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Along the way, she explains why OCD is often hidden for years unless clinicians ask the right questions, and why structured checklists can change everything for families searching for answers. We also confront the reality of scientific pushback: how skepticism shaped stronger research, why medicine can take decades to accept an infectious or autoimmune mechanism, and what the autoimmune encephalitis era has taught the wider field of immunopsychiatry.Then we look forward. Dr. Swedo lays out the research roadmap she wants to see now: multi-center collaboration across major PANDAS and PANS clinics, prospective studies that capture kids within days of symptom onset, better testing for rheumatogenic and potentially “pandasogenic” strep strains, and smarter use of models to evaluate immunomodulating treatments like IVIG and plasmapheresis. We also talk about safety and the urgent need to take self-harm intrusions seriously, especially when inflammation, impulse control changes, and demoralization collide.If you care about PANDAS, PANS, pediatric OCD, tics, neuroinflammation, autoimmune brain disease, or the future of mental health diagnosis, this conversation will give you history, clarity, and practical next questions. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more families and clinicians can find the science, faster.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

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

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

What if sudden OCD, tics, and food restriction after an infection aren’t “all in the head,” but start with immune cells carrying a biochemical message to the brain? We sit down with Dr. Fulvio d'Acquisto—immunologist, psychotherapist, and founder of affective immunology—to trace the language between emotions, living conditions, and the immune system, and why that conversation can erupt into neuropsychiatric symptoms in PANDAS and PANS.Fulvio introduces Immuno-moodulin (iMood), a small protein produced by T cells, found in higher levels in people with OCD and elevated in PANDAS/PANS. He explains how iMood behaves like an intrinsically disordered protein: it can cluster in blood, cross into the brain, and temporarily disrupt neural communication—then disassemble as triggers fade. That dynamic process mirrors real life: flares during infections, relief during remission, and stubborn persistence in complex cases. We unpack why peripheral therapies—antibiotics, IVIG, and plasmapheresis—can reshape central symptoms, and why response varies based on disease staging rather than a one-size-fits-all pathway.We also explore the bigger map: proteomics that can distinguish PANDAS from controls with striking accuracy, autoimmune conditions that cluster with specific psychiatric diagnoses, and a cautionary tale where “schizophrenia” resolved after immune therapy revealed underlying lupus. Along the way, Fulvio reframes inflammation as a repair system gone repetitive, not an enemy to be extinguished at all costs. And beyond the lab, we talk belonging—how shared meals, genuine dialogue, and community aren’t soft add-ons but active inputs that steady immunity and help people reclaim identity, empathy, and meaning.If you’re curious about immune-brain crosstalk, novel protein targets, and why conversation can be medicine, this deep dive offers science you can hold and stories you’ll remember. Subscribe, share with someone who needs hope, and leave a review to help more families and clinicians find this work.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

The Manfulls open up about losing their daughter, Alex, to complications of PANDAS/PANS—and how that loss became a focused mission to change the way medicine recognizes and treats infection‑triggered neuroimmune disorders. From kitchen‑table grief to national and global collaborations, they map the work that turns confusion into clarity and hope into measurable progress. The Alex Manfull Fund (TAMF) is born.Susan walks through the three pillars that guide TAMF's strategy. Awareness comes alive through 36 Hours in DC, where a standing‑room dinner, a 5K, Hill outreach, and a researcher brunch connect families, clinicians, and scientists. Education and dialogue comprise the centerpiece in the TAMF international symposium in Portsmouth, NH. Championing medical rule‑outs when psychiatric symptoms strike and citing Dartmouth’s Neuroimmune Psychiatric Disorders Program as a model for immune‑informed psychiatry. Research takes center stage with proteomics that distinguish PANDAS sera from healthy  controls, promising a practical biomarker, and with studies exploring the IL‑17/IL‑23 pathway’s role in blood‑brain barrier permeability, OCD, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis. They also preview new projects on Lyme interactions at the BBB, tonsils and adenoids as microbial reservoirs, and microbiome signals that may shape onset and flares.Advocacy binds it all together. Susan details TAMF's response to the AAP report that they believe sidelines key literature and harms access to care, and she shares that PANDAS/PANS is advancing toward being eligible within the DoD’s PRMRP—opening a vital funding stream. With NIH cuts stalling trials and lab work, they explain why seed and bridge funding from donors keeps critical studies moving forward so those findings can scale when federal support returns. Along the way, they celebrate young leaders joining their board and a growing, global network committed to faster diagnosis, better treatment, and fewer years lost.Be part of the momentum. Subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs clarity on PANDAS/PANS. Your voice and support move research forward and bring families closer to answers.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

A sore throat that ends in compulsions, tics, and a child who suddenly can’t sleep or attend school sounds improbable—until you hear a pediatric rheumatologist walk through the biology. Dr. J. Patrick Whelan of UCLA sits down with Dr. Susan Manfull, Executive Director of The Alex Manfull Fund, to unpack how infections and the immune system can collide with brain function, producing abrupt-onset OCD, motor and vocal tics, restricted eating, and anxiety that look psychiatric but respond to immunomodulatory treatments. Drawing from a variety of sources, including the history of rheumatic fever, the Lancefield classification of streptococci, and modern cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). Dr. Whelan explains why PANDAS and PANS challenge old categories and demand a broader clinical lens.We dive into innate versus adaptive immunity, what “autoinflammatory” and “autoimmune” really mean, and why so many affected kids also show signs of immunodeficiency. If routine tests like ASO and anti–DNase B come back normal, does that rule out strep’s role? Not necessarily. Whelan shares how expanded antibody panels, trial responses to antibiotics or anti-inflammatories, and careful history-taking can reveal an immune trigger that standard workups miss. He also outlines the practical steps that matter right now: restore sleep, get moving, stabilize nutrition, and build companionship—simple interventions that reduce pain amplification and calm a dysregulated nervous system. Finally, we talk about why “listening to the patient” often illuminates key clues to understanding the case.  If you care about pediatric mental health, infection-associated neuroimmune disorders, or how medicine evolves when data and curiosity meet, you’ll find both science and solace here.If this resonates, follow the show, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more families and clinicians find these insights.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

What makes some people vulnerable to devastating chronic illness after infections that most recover from easily? Dr. Michal "Mikki" Tal, pioneering immunoengineer at MIT, is tackling this question through her groundbreaking Maestro study - the largest clinical research project currently underway at the prestigious institution.Personal tragedy fuels Dr. Tal's scientific mission. After losing both an uncle to HIV/AIDS and a cousin to meningococcal meningitis, she developed a profound respect for infectious diseases and determination to understand immune system dysfunction. Now, her research examines why infection-associated chronic illnesses like Long COVID and chronic Lyme disease disproportionately affect women, what biological mechanisms prevent recovery, and how we might predict who's at risk.The conversation explores fascinating biological concepts, including how our immune cells recognize "eat me" versus "don't eat me" signals, and how some pathogens have evolved to manipulate these systems. Dr. Tal introduces her powerful metaphor: "If you took a bacterial road to Rome or a viral road to Rome, once you're in Rome, does it matter anymore how you got there?" This question frames her approach to understanding whether treatment should focus on the triggering infection or the resulting immune dysfunction.Dr. Tal advocates for a revolutionary "systems medicine" approach that bridges traditional medical specialties to address complex conditions. Her research employs cutting-edge techniques to objectively measure everything from blood vessel appearance to cognitive function, seeking patterns that might predict or explain chronic illness development. Most exciting are the preliminary findings showing significant cognitive impacts, particularly in reaction time, that could immediately inform clinical care.The Maestro study continues seeking participants, particularly those newly diagnosed with Lyme disease. By examining genetics, microbiome, immune responses, and countless other variables simultaneously, Dr. Tal hopes to finally unlock the mystery of why some people can't bounce back from infections - and how we might help them recover. If you've recently been diagnosed with Lyme disease, consider participating in this groundbreaking research that could change medicine's understanding of chronic illness forever.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

Transitioning to college marks a significant milestone for any young adult, but for those with PANS/PANDAS, this journey demands unique preparation and understanding. In this illuminating conversation, Dr. Susan Manfull welcomes Sheila Gauch, Principal and Clinical Director of Dearborn Academy, who brings both professional expertise and profound personal experience to the table.Gauch, whose own college experience as an all-American swimmer was derailed by what she believes now was undiagnosed PANS symptoms, shares eight critical strategies each—for parents and for students—that transform the college transition from daunting to doable. Her guidance stems from both professional wisdom and her journey supporting two college-age children with PANS.For parents, the process begins with helping their children truly understand their condition's immune-mediated nature, recognizing how different it is from primary psychiatric disorders. This knowledge becomes crucial when students need to advocate for themselves in college health centers where PANS/PANDAS awareness may be limited. Equally important is parents understanding their own stress responses, often shaped by years of hypervigilance and advocacy."I think caregiver stress and trauma, particularly with PANS families, is so ingrained," Gauch explains, comparing it to "a frog in a pot of boiling water—you don't realize you're boiling alive." Learning to manage this response becomes essential when letting children navigate college independently.For students, success hinges on understanding how stress triggers inflammation, potentially causing symptom flares. They must become attuned to their bodies, practice effective coping strategies, and embrace self-advocacy—particularly when accessing disability support services. Perhaps most challenging is learning to accept imperfection and mistakes, especially difficult for those with perfectionistic OCD tendencies.Gauch also introduces the Everest Program, a comprehensive coaching service helping students bridge the gap between high school structure and collegiate independence through academic, clinical, and transition support.Whether you're a parent preparing to launch your child or a student planning your college journey, this episode offers practical wisdom for navigating this significant transition while managing PANS/PANDAS. Ready to build that bridge to college success? Listen now and discover how to transform challenges into stepping stones toward independence.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

Dr. Andrew Baumel's story reveals how curiosity, compassion, and clinical observation can lead to breakthrough care for children suffering from immune-mediated neuropsychiatric disorders.After 18 years as a traditional pediatrician, Dr. Baumel's professional trajectory changed dramatically when a parent asked if he knew anything about PANDAS. Though initially somewhat skeptical, attending an educational lecture with the parent in 2014 convinced him this was a genuine medical condition affecting children's brains following infections. Fast forward, he has now treated over 300 patients with mild to moderate cases of PANDAS and PANS using straightforward medical approaches in his regular pediatric practice.Dr. Baumel shares fascinating clinical insights, including his identification of "protopans" – early, limited symptoms following infections that, when treated promptly, appears to prevent progression to full-blown disorders. "I have a regular practice of 1500 kids, ages 0 to 23 years. I just incorporate these [mild cases of] PANS/PANDAS into my regular practice as my regular patients. This is doable," Dr Baumel said.Dr. Baumel offers thoughtful perspective on why acceptance of PANDAS/PANS has been slow, drawing parallels to historical medical discoveries that initially faced skepticism before becoming standard practice.Link to video of 2014 PANDAS Doctor's Breakfast that Dr. Baumel mentioned in this podcast: https://aspire.care/videos/qa-breakfast-for-doctors-featuring-national-pans-pandas-expert-panel-nepans-2014/  (Aspire website)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