Blog
March 6, 2025
How a Georgia House bill could create options in treating a devastating pediatric diagnosis
The bill is going to be a huge step forward, but Emily‘s mom April says it’s not a cure the bill does not mandate insurance coverage for the most common and effective...
March 1, 2025
West Virginia PANS PANDAS Updates
WV needs your help asking legislators to support HB 2252: Requiring insurance coverage for treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric...
March 1, 2025
South & North Carolina Zoom ChitChat
Zoom - Friday, March 31, 2024 - 8:00 PM Eastern...
IVIG Stopped Ella’s Self-Harm
Trigger Warning: Self-Harm & Suicide The following story discusses experiences with self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and psychiatric hospitalization. If you are sensitive to these topics, please...
February 28, 2025
New Jersey PANS PANDAS Updates
New Jersey Legislative Action is lead by Alissa Johnson. Please contact her directly to become involved in legislative advocacy in New Jersey. Alissa is Co-Founder and Advisor The Louisa...
Neuroinflammation and pathways that contribute to Tourette Syndrome
Wu, X., Hao, J., Jiang, K. et al. Neuroinflammation and pathways that contribute to tourette syndrome. Ital J Pediatr 51, 63 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-025-01874-3
- Tourette Syndrome (TS): A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics, often co-occurring with ADHD, OCD, and other psychological issues.
- Neurotransmitter Imbalances: TS is traditionally linked to neurotransmitter disruptions, especially within the cortex-striatum-thalamus-cortex circuit, involving dopamine and glutamate.
- Neuroinflammation: Emerging research shows neuroinflammation, often triggered by infections or allergies, contributes to neurotransmitter imbalances that may induce tics.
- Infectious Triggers: Streptococcal infections (e.g., PANDAS), viral infections (e.g., enterovirus, COVID-19), and other pathogens (e.g., Chlamydia, Mycoplasma) are linked to TS exacerbation.
- Immune Mechanisms: Inflammatory responses activate microglia and the peripheral immune system, disrupting neurotransmitter balance and leading to tics.
February 28, 2025
PANS Legislative Recap
Start the Legislative Process Are you interested in starting the legislative process in your state? Meet with the ASPIRE Legislative Working Group (ALWG) to help you get started. Your voice...
February 27, 2025
Legislative Talking/Writing Points and Examples
General Legislative Information How to talk to your state representative How to Get Started Find your State Representative and State Senator in your district Look Up Your Legislator! ASPIRE...
February 27, 2025
Iowa PANS PANDAS Updates
The deadline to make the first funnel is March 4th. Calls/emails really need to be made by Monday, March 1st as this committee generally only meets on...
February 27, 2025
Legislative Action: Information for Legislators Toolkit
Download Toolkit Legislative Action: Information for Legislators Toolkit Download ASPIRE’s PANS/PANDAS Legislative Action: Information for Legislators Toolkit. This Legislative Toolkit...