Pediatric Neuropsychiatry and Immunology Research Program
Explore This Research Program
Overview
We provide opportunities for children with and without PANDAS and OCD to participate in research, including children with post-COVID OCD and tic symptoms. Our goal is to better understand neuropsychiatric disorders in children, especially PANDAS and OCD, to inform and improve treatment.
What Is PANDAS?
PANDAS, or P.A.N.D.A.S., is short for Pediatric AutoImmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections. Children with PANDAS experience a sudden onset or worsening of tics and/or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). While many children may experience strep throat, OCD, or tics, PANDAS is diagnosed when there is a close relationship found between the onset/severity of these symptoms and a streptococcal infection.
Vision
To improve understanding of the etiology and most effective treatments of pediatric neuropsychiatric immune conditions through our integrated clinic and research program.
Mission Statement
Our interdisciplinary team engages in cutting edge research to inform evidence-based care for children with neuropsychiatric conditions.
Podcasts
Untangling PANDAS & PANS: Conversations about Infection-Associated, Immune-Mediated Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Host Dr. Susan Manfull, Executive Director of The Alex Manfull Fund, interviews Dr. Kyle Williams. Dr. Williams discusses his research to investigate the relationship between IL-17, psoriasis, and OCD, including retrospective and prospective studies. They also discuss the need for a more multidisciplinary approach in medicine to understand better and treat the connections between physical and mental health.
Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast: PANS & PANDAS
Host David Puder, MD, talks with Dr. Williams and Dr. O’Dor about diagnosing and treating PANS and PANDAS. Follow the link above to hear the podcast and view a blog post by PNIP volunteer Annabel Kuhn, MD. The blog has information about diagnosis, treatment, and links to research articles discussed in the podcast.
Webinars
PANDAS/PANS, Parenting and the Pandemic
Join Dr. Kyle Williams from the Mass General PANDAS clinic as he presents an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and how it continues to affect care for children with PANS/PANDAS. Dr. Sarah O’Dor, the Director of Research, presents her research on how COVID has changed the way we deliver healthcare for PANS/PANDAS and discusses our upcoming research projects.
Previous Webinars
PANDAS Clinical Care & Research at Mass General
Doctors from the Mass General PANDAS clinic present updates on various aspects of clinical care in PANS/PANDAS, and discuss new research on how to treat and diagnose these conditions.
Recent Breakthroughs in PANDAS Research
Current Research Projects
Healthy Children wanted for one-visit MRI research study
PI: Kyle A. Williams, MD, PhD
The Pediatric Neuropsychiatry and Immunology Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital is looking for healthy children aged 7-15 years to participate in a single-visit MRI study. This study investigates the role of neuroinflammation in the development of PANDAS/PANS. Participants will come in for a single visit lasting approximately 2-3 hours at the Martinos Imaging. The participant will receive a 45-minute MRI and undergo some brief neuropsychological examinations and a blood draw. Subjects will be reimbursed $50 for their participation.
If you and your child are interested in participating, contact our study coordinator: 617-726-8508, pandasclinic@partners.org
Children with OCD Wanted for a Research Imaging Study
PI: Kyle A. Williams, MD, PhD
The Pediatric Neuropsychiatry and Immunology Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital is looking for children with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) aged 6-17 to participate in a single-visit MRI study. This study investigates the role of neuroinflammation in contracting PANDAS/PANS. Participants will come in for a single visit that should last 2-3 hours wherein the participant will receive a 45-minute MRI and undergo some brief neuropsychological examinations and a blood draw. Subjects will be reimbursed for their participation.
If you and your child are interested in participating, please contact our study coordinator: 617-726-8508, pandasclinic@partners.org
Group Members
Meet Our Team
Current Members
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- Director, Principal Investigator
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- Director of Research, Clinical Psychologist
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- Director, Pediatric OCD and Tic Disorders Program
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Celia Adams, BS
- Clinical Research Coordinator
![Kyle Williams, MD, PhD](https://www.massgeneral.org/assets/MGH/images/199535.jpg")
Previous Members
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Elliott Carlisle
- Undergraduate Volunteer
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Kira Daubert
- Undergraduate Volunteer
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Olivia Downer, BS
- Clinical Research Coordinator
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Emma Guerette
- Volunteer
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Saffron Homayoun, MBChB
- Research Fellow, 2019-2021
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Annabel Kuhn, MD
- Psychiatry Resident Volunteer
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Anna Olson, MA
- Clinical Research Coordinator
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Julia Zagaroli, BA
- Clinical Research Coordinator, 2020-2022
Publications
Selected Publications
The COVID-19 pandemic and children with PANS/PANDAS: an evaluation of symptom severity, telehealth, and vaccination hesitancy. O'Dor, S. L., Zagaroli, J. S., Belisle, R. M., Hamel, M. A., Downer, O. M., Homayoun, S., & Williams, K. A. (2022). Child psychiatry and human development, 1–9. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-022-01401-z (PDF)
Autoantibody Biomarkers for Basal Ganglia Encephalitis in Sydenham Chorea and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated With Streptococcal Infections. . Chain JL, Alvarez K, Mascaro-Blanco A, Reim S, Bentley R, Hommer R, Grant P, Leckman JF, Kawikova I, Williams K, Stoner JA, Swedo SE, Cunningham MW. Front Psychiatry. 2020; 11:564. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00564.
Antibodies From Children With PANDAS Bind Specifically to Striatal Cholinergic Interneurons and Alter Their Activity. . Xu J, Liu RJ, Fahey S, Frick L, Leckman J, Vaccarino F, Duman RS, Williams K, Swedo S, Pittenger. 2020 Jun 16. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.19070698
Immunoglobulin A dysgammaglobulinemia is associated with pediatric-onset Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. . Williams K, Shorser-Gentile L, Sarvode Mothi S, Berman N, Pasternack M, Geller D, Walter J. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2019 May(4);268-275. doi: 10.1089/cap.2018.0043
Defining paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome.. Williams KA. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2019 03; 3(3):134-135. doi: 10.1016/S2352-4642(19)30021-5
Clinical Management of Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome: Part I-Psychiatric and Behavioral Interventions.. Thienemann M, Murphy T, Leckman J, Shaw R, Williams K, Kapphahn C, Frankovich J, Geller D, Bernstein G, Chang K, Elia J, Swedo S. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2017 Sep; 27(7):566-573. doi: 10.1089/cap.2016.0145
Clinical Care
If you are interested in learning more about clinical care for PANS/PANDAS at Mass General or obtaining more information about PANS/PANDAS, please visit our clinic page.