Overview
PANDAS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. It is a condition in which a strep infection — the same kind that causes strep throat — triggers the immune system to mistakenly attack parts of the brain. This leads to a sudden and dramatic change in a child's behavior and mental health. The condition is closely related to a broader category called PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome), which can be triggered by other infections or causes beyond just strep. The main symptoms appear very suddenly, often overnight, and include obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OCD), tics, anxiety, mood swings, and trouble with schoolwork or handwriting. Children may also have difficulty sleeping, experience bedwetting, or show unusual movements. The key feature that sets PANDAS apart is how abruptly these symptoms appear — often within 24 to 48 hours after a strep infection. Treatment focuses on two main goals: clearing the strep infection with antibiotics and managing the neuropsychiatric symptoms. Antibiotics like penicillin or amoxicillin are commonly used. Behavioral therapies and medications for OCD or anxiety may also help. In more severe cases, immune-based treatments such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or plasmapheresis (plasma exchange) have been used. With proper treatment, many children improve significantly, though some may have relapses with future strep infections.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OCD)Sudden onset of tics (repetitive movements or sounds)Severe anxiety or panic attacksEmotional outbursts or extreme mood swingsTrouble concentrating or a drop in school performanceDeterioration in handwritingDifficulty sleeping or nighttime fearsBedwetting or other urinary problems in a child who was previously toilet trainedUnusual movements or jerky motionsSensory sensitivities (being bothered by sounds, textures, or light)Separation anxietyIrritability or aggressionRefusal to eat (food restriction)
Clinical phenotype terms (24)— hover any for plain English
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Childhood
Begins in childhood, roughly ages 1 to 12
FDA & Trial Timeline
2 eventsUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison
Stanford University
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for PANDAS.
2 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to PANDAS.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with PANDAS.
Start the conversation →Latest news about PANDAS
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: PEDI Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated With Streptococcus Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for PANDAS
New recruiting trial: Neurobiologic, Immunologic, and Rheumatologic Markers in Youth With PANS
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for PANDAS
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How confident are you in the PANDAS diagnosis, and what other conditions have been ruled out?,Should my child be on long-term preventive antibiotics, and what are the risks and benefits?,What should I do if my child is exposed to strep at school or has a sore throat?,Is my child a candidate for IVIG or plasmapheresis, and where can we access these treatments?,What behavioral therapies do you recommend, and how do we find a therapist experienced with PANDAS?,How do I work with my child's school to get appropriate support during flares?,What are the signs that symptoms are getting worse and when should I bring my child to the emergency room?
Common questions about PANDAS
What is PANDAS?
PANDAS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. It is a condition in which a strep infection — the same kind that causes strep throat — triggers the immune system to mistakenly attack parts of the brain. This leads to a sudden and dramatic change in a child's behavior and mental health. The condition is closely related to a broader category called PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome), which can be triggered by other infections or causes beyond just strep. The main symptoms appear very suddenly, often overnight, and
How is PANDAS inherited?
PANDAS follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does PANDAS typically begin?
Typical onset of PANDAS is childhood. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for PANDAS?
Yes — 2 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for PANDAS on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat PANDAS?
7 specialists and care centers treating PANDAS are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.