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Prevalence of Neurological Soft Signs at Presentation in Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome
Jane E. Zebrack, Jaynelle Gao, Britta Verhey, Lu Tian, Christopher Stave, Bahare Farhadian, Meiqian Ma, Melissa Silverman, Yuhuan Xie, Paula Tran, Margo Thienemann, Jenny L. Wilson, Jennifer Frankovich,  Prevalence of Neurological Soft Signs at Presentation in Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome medRxiv 2024.04.26.24306193; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.26.24306193
  • 79.8% had at least one NSS-BG (neurological soft signs/behaviors).
  • Average of 2.1 NSS-BG per patient.
  • More NSS-BG = higher global impairment and more symptoms.
  • Regression Results:
    • NSS-BG correlated with global impairment and symptom count (p=0.045 and p=0.002, respectively).
    • No correlation with age or PANS duration at presentation.
  • Conclusions:
    • High NSS-BG prevalence in PANS.
    • NSS-BG linked to severity, not age.
    • Suggests targeted neurological exams could aid PANS diagnosis.
Implementing dietary changes with children affected by PANS/PANDAS

Khimani, Kynza & Abadía-Barrero, César & LaRusso, Maria. (2024). Implementing dietary changes with children affected by PANS/PANDAS. Children’s Health Care. 1-19. 10.1080/02739615.2024.2338763.

  • 64.7% of the 467 survey participants indicated that a healthcare provider recommended dietary changes as part of PANS/PANDAS treatment.
  • 55.7% of the families did implement dietary changes
  • 69.6% reported at least one diet to be somewhat effective in helping with PANS/PANDAS symptoms
  • 36% reported dietary changes to be very effective, particularly gluten-free and sugar-free diet
  • Some parents and clinicians highlighted children’s resistance to new diets and concerns about worsening OCD and food-restrictive disorders as barriers to implementing dietary changes

 

 

Inflammation as the Common Pathophysiology Linking Stress, Mental Illness, Autoimmunity and Chronic Disease: Implications for Public Health Policy

Kinderlehrer DA. Inflammation as the Common Pathophysiology Linking Stress, Mental Illness, Autoimmunity and Chronic Disease: Implications for Public Health Policy. J Biomed Res Environ Sci. 2024 Mar 28; 5(3): 242-255. doi: 10.37871/jbres1889, Article ID: JBRES1889, Available at: https://www.jelsciences.com/articles/jbres1889.pdf

  • The article discusses the interplay between genetics, epigenetics, stress, trauma, inflammation, mental illness, autoimmunity, and chronic disease.
  • While modern medicine has made significant advances in disease care,
    it appears that lifestyle intervention, early childhood intervention, and socioeconomic
    investment and have the potential to make an even greater impact on the mental and
    physical well-being of the population.
  • An individual’s genetic makeup influences susceptibility to conditions, but environmental factors like stress and trauma can modify this through epigenetics.
  • Chronic stress and trauma can induce epigenetic changes and dysregulate immune responses, leading to inflammation, mental illness, autoimmunity, and chronic disease.
  • Lifestyle changes like exercise, diet, and toxin management can reduce inflammation and risks of mental and physical illness. Stress is a key factor and reducing stress through mindfulness, meditation, and exercise can decrease inflammation. Loneliness is a significant stressor and healthy social connections are important.