Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 20, 2025

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
04:44

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

Published on: May 2, 2025

427

Hypothesizing That Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Associated Streptococcal (PANDAS) Causes Rapid Onset of

Kenneth Blum1,2,3,4,5,6,7, Catherine A Dennen8, Eric R Braverman2

  • 1Center for Mental Health and Sports, Psychiatry, Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, USA.

Open Journal of Immunology
|November 21, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with group A streptococcal infections (PANDAS) may cause reward deficiency syndrome (RDS). This study explores a novel treatment using pro-dopamine regulators for PANDAS and RDS.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS) are linked to neuropsychiatric symptoms and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
  • PANDAS can trigger Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS), characterized by dysfunction in the brain's reward cascade (BRC) and dopamine signaling.
  • Genetic factors, such as DRD2 gene polymorphisms, are implicated in RDS, while infections like Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) can initiate autoimmune responses targeting dopaminergic pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of pro-dopamine regulator KB220 variants as an innovative treatment for PANDAS.
  • To explore the concept of achieving "dopamine homeostasis" for improved therapeutic outcomes in PANDAS patients.

Main Methods:

  • Review of previous clinical trials involving KB220 variants.
  • Proposal of precision-guided DNA testing for personalized treatment approaches.
  • Focus on pro-dopamine modulation to restore dopamine balance.

Main Results:

  • Limited efficacy studies exist for current PANDAS treatments, highlighting the need for novel approaches.
  • KB220 variants show potential as a pro-dopamine modulator.
  • Precision-guided DNA testing may enable tailored interventions for PANDAS.

Conclusions:

  • Achieving dopamine homeostasis through precision-guided DNA testing and pro-dopamine modulation offers a promising therapeutic strategy for PANDAS.
  • This approach may lead to improved outcomes for children with PANDAS and associated RDS-like symptoms.
  • Further research and clinical trials are warranted to validate the efficacy of this innovative treatment.

Keywords:
BorreliaCANSDopamine HomeostasisGroup A Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcal (GABHS)LymeMolecular MimicryPANDASPro-Dopamine RegulationReward Deficiency Syndrome

More Related Videos

Rating L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesias in the Unilaterally 6-OHDA-Lesioned Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease06:45

Rating L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesias in the Unilaterally 6-OHDA-Lesioned Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease

Published on: October 4, 2021

2.9K
Induction and Assessment of Levodopa-induced Dyskinesias in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease05:51

Induction and Assessment of Levodopa-induced Dyskinesias in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease

Published on: October 14, 2021

3.9K

Related Concept Videos

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders01:27

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
871
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment01:24

Parkinson's Disease: Treatment

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
347
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
148
Desensitization and Tachyphylaxis01:20

Desensitization and Tachyphylaxis

Tachyphylaxis is described as a rapid decrease in response to a drug after repeated or continuous administration of the same drug dose. It is a phenomenon where the body becomes less responsive to a particular substance or intervention over time, requiring higher doses or stronger interventions to achieve the same effect. It results from adaptive changes in the body's receptors, signaling pathways, or physiological processes that occur in response to prolonged exposure to a stimulus.
2.0K