Most current theory on PANDAS?

[Guest alyssa]

What is the most current theory on PANDAS? I understand that there is an immune reaction to strep and a breach in the blood brain barrier. However, why after plasmapheresis and IVIG do exacerbations occur during allergy season and during other infections? Do kids with PANDAS make a low level of antibodies against their brain because of a form of intracellular strep that is resistant to all current antibiotics? If that is the case do the infections and allergies simply weaken the barrier making it possible for the antibodies to interfere with neuronal signaling? Also, if that is the case, would it be possible for a novel antibiotic to "cure" PANDAS completely until the next strep infection?

[thereishope]

I don't have time to write a lengthy response (it's my PANDAS son bday!), but wanted to just wanted to chime in about my son. He did not have IVIG or PEX. He did use to have setbacks with allergies, viruses, etc. However, he no longer does. Why? I don't know. His last strep infection was March 2009. He's been in remission for a year. Is it that his immune system had a chance to calm down? Again, don't know. But I wanted to chime in that with some kids...their "reactions" or sensitivity changes. I do, however, know in my heart if he gets strep again, we will be thrown back into the chaos.

Edited September 26, 2010 by Vickie

[peglem]

I don't have time to write a lengthy response (it's my PANDAS son bday!), but wanted to just wanted to chime in about my son. He did not have IVIG or PEX. He did use to have setbacks with allergies, viruses, etc. However, he no longer does. Why? I don't know. His last strep infection was March 2009. He's been in remission for a year. Is it that his immune system had a chance to calm down? Again, don't know. But I wanted to chime in that with some kids...their "reactions" or sensitivity changes. I do, however, know in my heart if he gets strep again, we will be thrown back into the chaos.

Wow, Vickie, I didn't realize that about your son. How wonderful! A year of remission? That's a beautiful thing!

[Joan Pandas Mom]

Vickie Happy Birthday to your son. I'm so happy he has the best gift of all, PANDAS FREE!

[kimballot]

Well... we keep hearing that exacerbations happen when:

 

1. The child has a preexisting affinity toward an autoimmune disease.

 

2. There is a breach in the blood brain barrier - probably due to inflammation

 

3. The antibodies that normally attack foreign antigens begin attaching to basal ganglia neurons and interfere with chemical function, such as increasing CamKinase II.

 

 

I think (just my thoughts here) that remission probably happens whens these steps are reversed, so that...

 

1. The underlying infection is removed - thereby decreasing the number of antibodies in the blood

and

2. inflammation ends and the BBB is able to be sealed up again.

 

I think another exacerbation can happen with or without strep because...

 

Even when an infection ends the body keeps memory B cells floating around with antibodies to the strep (or whatever the infection / antigen was), so that the immune system will quickly recognize the antigen the next time it comes into the body and the body will start making antibodies quickly.

 

I think that exacerbations occur when there is any inflammation (including allergies and viruses), the BBB can be breached again.

 

Once the antibodies cross the BBB, the memory B cells may recognize the basal ganglia neurons as foreign antigens and start producing antibodies again until the inflammation ends and the BBB is closed up - thereby cutting off the supply of antibodies to the neuronal tissue.

 

I think this video helps to explain why I think it works this way

 

I don't know if that is true. It is just the way I look at it.

Edited September 27, 2010 by kimballot

[Fixit]

Well... we keep hearing that exacerbations happen when:

 

1. The child has a preexisting affinity toward an autoimmune disease.

 

2. There is a breach in the blood brain barrier - probably due to inflammation

 

3. The antibodies that normally attack foreign antigens begin attaching to basal ganglia neurons and interfere with chemical function, such as increasing CamKinase II.

 

 

I think (just my thoughts here) that remission probably happens whens these steps are reversed, so that...

 

1. The underlying infection is removed - thereby decreasing the number of antibodies in the blood

and

2. inflammation ends and the BBB is able to be sealed up again.

 

I think another exacerbation can happen with or without strep because...

 

Even when an infection ends the body keeps memory B cells floating around with antibodies to the strep (or whatever the infection / antigen was), so that the immune system will quickly recognize the antigen the next time it comes into the body and the body will start making antibodies quickly.

 

I think that exacerbations occur when there is any inflammation (including allergies and viruses), the BBB can be breached again.

 

Once the antibodies cross the BBB, the memory B cells may recognize the basal ganglia neurons as foreign antigens and start producing antibodies again until the inflammation ends and the BBB is closed up - thereby cutting off the supply of antibodies to the neuronal tissue.

 

I think this video helps to explain why I think it works this way

 

I don't know if that is true. It is just the way I look at it.

 

i like your explanation...and its' easy for us regular folks to understand