ASPIRE Blog

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This story contains references to self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and substance use. Mature audiences only. ⚠️ A young adult endured years of psychiatric hospitalizations, self-harm, and homelessness before […]

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Strep throat is a common childhood illness, but in a few children this bacteria infection can lead to alarming, lasting changes in behaviour. Scientists are now starting to unravel how it affects the brain.

  Current Legislative Action Please visit the MI PANS/PANDAS Alliance to stay updated on how you can take legislative action in Michigan. If you are a Michigan parent of a […]

Joint Rebuttal to the American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Report on PANS (12/16/24)

Swallowing pills can be intimidating for many, especially for those with PANS PANDAS due to OCD, sensory issues, anxiety, or difficulty swallowing. The good news is that with some practice […]

🌿 In May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, our Nebraska State Leads—Grace Troupe and Elizabeth Fandl—joined Where There’s a Will Foundation for their annual mental health awareness walk around Holmes […]

Sonbol, H.M., Abdelmawgoud, A.S., El-kady, N.M. et al. Serum zonulin level in autistic children and its relation to severity of symptoms a case-control study. Sci Rep 15, 27802 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11420-0 […]

  Virginia PANS PANDAS Updates Virginia Alliance for PANS/PANDAS Action (VA4PA) is leading legislative efforts. Please contact them directly for more information. Their website is VA4PA and their email is […]

Han VX, Alshammery S, Keating BA, Gloss BS, Hofer MJ, Graham ME, Aryamanesh N, Marshall LL, Yuan S, Maple-Brown E, Yan J, Bandodkar S, Kothur K, Nishida H, Jones H, […]

Turowski, P., Fetz, K., Chang, K. et al. Pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) in the Context of EMTICS: Methodological Considerations […]

It’s one of the more common illnesses: strep throat. According to the Centers for Disease Control, strep throat is now at a 20-year high.

It is a bacterial infection in your throat and tonsils, a common ailment in kids. Most children recover, but strep can lead to a serious brain disease in kids.