23rd Annual OCD Conference

The past year has brought many advances in the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of PANDAS/PANS and acute-onset OCD in children and adolescents. It has also been a year of scientific discoveries, culminating in an animal model demonstrating how strep infections might produce OCD and other symptoms. In addition to presenting highlights of these exciting investigations, the session will review recently developed guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PANDAS/PANS.

The presenters will provide the latest research advances on PANDAS/PANS, including data supporting the unique clinical presentation of the acute-onset subtypes of childhood-onset OCD. Evidence supporting conceptualization of PANDAS/PANS as a form of autoimmune encephalitis will be reviewed and discussed. Treatment guidelines have recently been developed by the PANDAS/PANS Clinical Research Consortium; these will be presented, as will data from recently completed trials of immunomodulatory therapies and antibiotics. Research advances provided by animal studies and immunologic investigations also will be reviewed. The session will conclude with a panel discussion of “hot topics” in PANDAS/PANS research, including areas of challenge, opportunity, and recent advancements.

Parents of children with PANDAS/PANS have higher stress levels than those caring for children suffering from cancer, diabetes, or any other life-threatening condition. The sudden onset of symptoms provides little time to prepare for a "new norm" that includes not only severe obsessive-compulsive symptoms, but also extreme separation anxiety, mood swings, sensory sensitivities, and other troublesome symptoms. This support group will explore strategies for surviving the acute crisis period in PANDAS and thriving during the months of convalescence. The facilitated discussion will seek pearls of PANDAS/PANS wisdom from experienced parents, as well as expert clinicians.