During the recent EPNS Research Meeting ( click for information ) it was identified that some presented projects were would benefit from additional collaboration with partners. Please find below a list of these projects and feel free to make direct contact if you would like to get involved.
Autoimmune & Infectious Disease Working Group
- Clarification of the evidence or absence of neuroinflammation in PANDAS/PANS through a multicentre international study: Dr G Olivé-Cirera and Dr T Armangué: PANDAS and PANS are acronyms for acute neuropsychiatric disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in which an inflammatory basis has been hypothized, the first one triggered by a group A streptococcal infection. However biological studies have failed to show that the symptoms of children meeting PANDAS/PANS criteria have a clear immune basis. There is also no strong evidence for the use of antimicrobials or immunotherapy in these patients. In fact, response rates to psychiatric intervention appear to be similar to those of non-PANDAS/PANS associated OCD. Studies of immunotherapy have produced inconsistent results. For example, randomized clinical trials suggest little difference in outcome between placebo and immunotherapy (either intravenous immunoglobulin or plasma exchange). Objective: To clarify whether or not there is inflammation in the nature of pathogenesis involved in PANS/PANDAS through a European multicenter study. LEARN MORE: CLICK HERE
- Long term outcome of children with MOG- encephalitis: Dr. A. BertoliniPANDAS and PANS are acronyms for acute neuropsychiatric disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in which an inflammatory basis has been hypothized, the first one triggered by a group A streptococcal infection. However biological studies have failed to show that the symptoms of children meeting PANDAS/PANS criteria have a clear immune basis. There is also no strong evidence for the use of antimicrobials or immunotherapy in these patients. In fact, response rates to psychiatric intervention appear to be similar to those of non-PANDAS/PANS associated OCD. Studies of immunotherapy have produced inconsistent results. For example, randomized clinical trials suggest little difference in outcome between placebo and immunotherapy (either intravenous immunoglobulin or plasma exchange). Objective: To clarify whether or not there is inflammation in the nature of pathogenesis involved in PANS/PANDAS through a European multicenter study. LEARN MORE: CLICK HERE
Ataxia Working Group
Epilepsy Working Group
Movement Disorders Working Group
Neonatal Neurology & Developmental Neurology Working Group
Neurometabolics Working Group
Neuromuscular Working Group
Paediatric Stroke Working Group