External resources
A curated list of organizations, directories, and references that PANS and PANDAS families have found useful. We use these as referrals; we do not endorse every position of every organization. Always look at primary sources where possible.
Professional organizations
PANDAS Physicians Network (PPN)
→The professional organization of clinicians treating PANS and PANDAS. Hosts the consensus guidelines, provider directory, and educational resources for clinicians.
Stanford Children's Immune Behavioral Health (IBH) Clinic
→One of the leading multidisciplinary PANS clinics in the United States. Source of much of the published research on PANS treatment.
Family advocacy organizations
ASPIRE - Alliance to Solve PANS and Immune-Related Encephalopathies
→Parent-founded nonprofit. Awareness, family support, legislative advocacy, school nurse packets, legal templates.
PANDAS Network
→501(c)(3) parent-founded organization. Family resources, awareness campaigns, research support, and parent community.
Government and academic sources
NIMH: PANS and PANDAS Questions and Answers
→The National Institute of Mental Health's plain-language overview of PANS and PANDAS. The most authoritative U.S. federal source.
AAP 2025 Clinical Report on PANS
→The American Academy of Pediatrics' first clinical report on PANS, published March 2025. A peer-reviewed reference you can bring to a skeptical clinician.
CDC Clinical Guidance for Group A Strep
→The CDC's clinical guidance on strep, including testing accuracy and asymptomatic carrier rates. Useful when discussing why a negative throat culture does not rule out strep.
Consensus guidelines (for clinicians and engaged parents)
The published PANS Research Consortium guidelines are the most cited clinical references. The full list lives on our Sources page. Three highlights:
Chang et al. 2015 (PANS Consensus)
→The diagnostic framework for PANS, including criteria, recommended workup, and an overview of the evidence base.
Thienemann et al. 2017 (Treatment Part I)
→Consensus recommendations for psychiatric and behavioral interventions.
Frankovich et al. 2017 (Treatment Part II)
→Consensus recommendations for immunomodulatory therapies, including IVIG, plasmapheresis, and corticosteroids.
A note on what is NOT here
Not medical advice. This content is for orientation only. Diagnosis requires a trained clinician. If your child is in acute distress, contact your provider or go to the nearest emergency room.