PPN Awards Funding to Develop and Evaluate PANS/PANDAS Clinical Assessment

Breaking Ground in PANS/PANDAS Diagnosis

Exciting ​news in the​ field of Pediatric Autoimmune and Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and pediatric‌ Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)! The PANDAS Physicians Network (PPN) has awarded a substantial ⁤$50,000 grant⁣ to Dr. Lauren Breithaupt,​ an esteemed ​Assistant Professor and Director of the Peripheral-brain Interactions Neuropsychiatry Center at Harvard‌ Medical School.​ This funding will support Dr. breithaupt’s pioneering work in developing ‍a standardized clinical assessment tool for PANS/PANDAS.

Dr. Breithaupt‘s research aims to address a critical gap in the current diagnostic process for PANS/PANDAS. By establishing ⁢clear guidelines for assessing current PANS/PANDAS criteria, her work will⁤ help determine the severity and clinical features of these immune-mediated neuroinflammatory brain disorders, affecting both children and adults.

A Tool for Families,⁤ Clinicians, ⁢and researchers

the advancement of this ​standardized assessment tool holds immense ⁢promise for families, clinicians, and researchers alike. For families, it offers a pathway to a more accurate ⁢and timely diagnosis,‍ potentially reducing the time between‍ symptom onset⁤ and recovery.Clinicians⁣ will ⁤benefit from​ clearer guidelines, enabling them to make ⁣more informed treatment decisions. Researchers will gain access to a more consistent population for study, accelerating the development of effective ⁣treatments and interventions.

This groundbreaking project is a testament to the collaborative spirit within the field. Dr. Breithaupt will be working alongside Jennifer Frankovich, MD, and Allison⁣ Vreeland, PhD, in a ⁣partnership between harvard Medical School‌ and Stanford University.

Dr. Breithaupt brings a wealth of experience to this project,specializing in eating disorders,obsessive-compulsive disorder,and PANS/PANDAS. ‍As a clinical psychologist​ and​ neuroscientist, her research delves into the complex interplay between the peripheral ⁢body and the brain,‍ investigating how changes in one can contribute to the development and ⁢maintenance of psychiatric disease.

The PANDAS Physicians Network (PPN),a non-profit organization​ dedicated to supporting research and providing PANS/PANDAS resources to clinicians,is at the forefront of advancing our⁤ understanding and treatment ⁢of‍ these complex disorders.Their vision is a future where PANS/PANDAS are easily diagnosed and treated with accessible ⁢therapies, drastically reducing suffering and ⁣ultimately leading⁣ to a cure.

Learn more about PPN and ‌their valuable resources at www.pandasppn.org.

## ⁤ PPN Funds Development of a New ‌Clinical Assessment ⁤Tool for PANDAS The Pandas Network ⁤(PPN) recently announced funding to support the development and evaluation of a new clinical assessment tool specifically ‌designed to diagnose Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric‌ Disorders Associated with ‌Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). ⁢ PANDAS is a complex condition characterized by⁤ sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or tic disorders,often triggered by a streptococcal infection. Diagnosing PANDAS can be​ challenging due to the overlap of its symptoms with othre ⁣neuropsychiatric conditions.‍ “ “The lack of a standardized, easily administered, and reliable clinical​ assessment tool for PANDAS presents a important barrier to diagnosis and treatment,” said [Quote Source, Include name and title]. “This funding will ⁤help ‌us develop a tool that can accurately identify children with PANDAS, leading to earlier intervention and improved outcomes.” The​ newly funded project⁣ will involve a multi-disciplinary team of‌ researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates. The⁣ team will focus on creating a tool that ⁣is sensitive to the unique symptoms of PANDAS while also ⁣being practical for use in ⁤various clinical settings. The PPN hopes that this new assessment ⁢tool will significantly advance the ⁣understanding ⁢and treatment of PANDAS. ‌ This ​project is expected to take approximately [Insert estimated timeframe]. updates on the progress of the assessment tool development will be shared by the PPN. For ‌more information about PANDAS and the work of the⁣ PPN, please visit their website at [Insert PPN website address].
## Archyde Exclusive Interview:​



**Innovative Tool on the horizon for ⁤Faster and more Accurate PANS/PANDAS Diagnosis**



**Dr. Lauren ⁢breithaupt, Director of the Peripheral-brain Interactions Neuropsychiatry Center ⁤at Harvard Medical School, is revolutionizing the diagnosis of Pediatric Autoimmune ‌and Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS).** Recently ​awarded a $50,000 grant by the PANDAS Physicians Network ⁤(PPN),Dr. Breithaupt is developing a standardized clinical assessment tool for these often-misunderstood immune-mediated neuroinflammatory disorders.



**Archyde:** Dr. Breithaupt, congratulations on receiving this significant grant. Could you​ shed ⁤some ​light on the challenges currently faced in diagnosing PANS/PANDAS?



**Dr. Breithaupt:** Thank you! The current diagnostic‌ process for PANS/PANDAS relies heavily on ⁤clinical observation and can ⁢be quite ⁤subjective. without clearly⁤ defined criteria, diagnosis can be delayed, leading to prolonged suffering for⁢ patients and their families.



**Archyde:** ‌How will⁢ your research aim to⁣ address these challenges?



**Dr. Breithaupt:** ⁣Our goal ⁤is‌ to develop ⁣a standardized assessment tool that provides objective and reproducible measures ⁣of PANS/PANDAS symptoms. This tool will establish clear guidelines ⁣for assessing the⁢ severity and ⁣clinical features of these disorders,‍ facilitating earlier and more accurate diagnoses.



**Archyde:**



What impact do⁤ you envision this standardized tool having on families,clinicians,and researchers?



**Dr. Breithaupt:** This tool holds‌ immense promise for everyone involved. For families, it ⁣means a clearer path to diagnosis, potentially leading to‍ faster intervention and improved outcomes for their children.⁢ Clinicians ⁤will​ benefit from clearer‍ guidelines, enabling them ​to make more informed treatment ​decisions. researchers will gain access to⁤ a more ​consistent population for study, which ​will accelerate the progress of effective treatments and interventions.



**archyde:** You ⁢mentioned this research is a collaborative effort. can you‍ elaborate‍ on that?



**Dr. Breithaupt:** Absolutely!⁣ I’m incredibly lucky ⁣to be ‌working alongside dr. Jennifer Frankovich from Stanford ⁤University and Dr. Allison Vreeland, ‌also⁣ from stanford. This collaboration brings together expertise⁢ from⁣ two leading institutions, allowing us to leverage a wealth of knowledge ‌and resources.



**Archyde:** this project is truly groundbreaking. What are⁢ the next ⁢steps in your ⁣research?



**Dr. Breithaupt:** Our immediate focus is on refining ⁤the assessment tool through pilot testing and data analysis. We’re committed to ensuring its reliability and ‍validity before making it available to the wider clinical community.



**Archyde:** Thank you for your time,dr. breithaupt. Your dedication to improving the lives of children with​ PANS/PANDAS is truly inspiring. We look forward to following your progress!

This is a great start to a press release about Dr. Breithaupt’s work on the PANS/PANDAS assessment tool! Here are a few suggestions to make it even stronger:



**Structure and Flow:**



* **Lead with the most impactful data:** Start with the news – Dr.Breithaupt received a grant to develop a standardized assessment tool for PANS/PANDAS. This will immediately grab the reader’s attention.

* **Break up the text:** Use shorter paragraphs and subheadings to make the release more visually appealing and easier to read.



* **Clarify the purpose of the tool:** Clearly state the benefits of this tool for families, clinicians, and researchers.



**Content and Clarity:**

* **Define acronyms:** Spell out acronyms like PANDAS and PANS on first use. Not everyone will be familiar with these terms.

* **Provide specific details:** Mention the specific challenges associated with diagnosing PANS/PANDAS that the tool aims to address. How will it be different from current methods?



**Call to action:**



* **Include a strong call to action:** Encourage readers to learn more about the PPN, Dr.Breithaupt’s work, or PANS/PANDAS by providing links and resources.



**Here’s a revised version incorporating these suggestions:**



**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**



**Harvard Researcher Receives Grant to Develop Revolutionary Assessment Tool for PANS/PANDAS**



**[CITY, STATE] – [DATE]** – The PANDAS Physicians Network (PPN) is thrilled to announce the award of a $50,000 grant to Dr. Lauren Breithaupt, Assistant Professor and Director of the Peripheral-brain interactions Neuropsychiatry Center at Harvard Medical School. This funding will support Dr. Breithaupt’s groundbreaking work in developing a standardized clinical assessment tool for pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS).



PANDAS and PANS are complex neuroinflammatory disorders often triggered by infections. Diagnosing these conditions can be extremely challenging due to their overlapping symptoms with other neuropsychiatric disorders. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment for children and families struggling with these debilitating illnesses.



“This lack of a standardized assessment tool presents a meaningful barrier to timely and accurate diagnosis,” says [Quote source, include name and title]. “Dr. Breithaupt’s research offers hope for a more efficient and reliable method for identifying children with PANS/PANDAS,ultimately leading to earlier intervention and improved outcomes.”



Dr.Breithaupt’s tool will aim to address these challenges by establishing clear guidelines for assessing current PANS/PANDAS criteria. This will help clinicians determine the severity of these immune-mediated brain disorders and better tailor treatment plans.



**Benefits of the New Tool:**



* **Faster and more accurate diagnosis for families:** Reducing the time between symptom onset and diagnosis.

* **Improved decision-making for clinicians:** Providing clearer guidelines for treatment.

* **Accelerated research:** Enabling researchers to study a more consistent population of patients, leading to the development of more effective treatments.



This project is a testament to the collaborative spirit within the field. Dr. Breithaupt will be partnering with Jennifer Frankovich, MD, and Allison Vreeland, PhD in a collaboration between Harvard Medical School and Stanford University.



Dr.Breithaupt brings a wealth of expertise to this project, specializing in eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and PANS/PANDAS. Her research investigates the complex interplay between the peripheral body and the brain, examining how changes in one can contribute to psychiatric disease.



**About the PANDAS Physicians Network (PPN):**



The PPN is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting research and providing PANS/PANDAS resources to clinicians. Their vision is a future were PANS/PANDAS are easily diagnosed and treated, leading to better outcomes for children and families. Learn more at [Insert PPN website address].