What this means in plain English:
The Autoimmune Brain Panel (formerly known as the Cunningham Panel) is a series of five specialized blood tests that measures specific autoantibodies directed against neuronal targets in the brain. It is used as supportive biological evidence in the evaluation of suspected PANS and PANDAS. It is not a standalone diagnostic test — a normal result does not rule out PANS or PANDAS, and an abnormal result does not confirm it. The diagnosis is clinical. The Panel adds biological context to that picture.
Last reviewed by Mary Margaret Burch, FNP-BC, FMAPS — August 2026
The Autoimmune Brain Panel (formerly known as the Cunningham Panel) is one of the most frequently discussed tests in PANS and PANDAS parent communities — and one of the most frequently misunderstood. Parents who have been told their child's symptoms are behavioral often see it as the test that could finally provide biological proof. Parents who have had a negative result often feel that the diagnosis has been closed. Both of those assumptions need examining.
This article covers what the Panel actually measures, what elevated results mean and don't mean, what normal results mean and don't mean, what the test costs and how to access it, and when asking for it is clinically appropriate. The goal is to give you enough information to have a real conversation with your provider about whether it belongs in your child's evaluation.
The Autoimmune Brain Panel is performed exclusively by Moleculera Labs, a CLIA-certified laboratory. It measures five markers:
| Marker | What It Measures | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Dopamine D1 Receptor | Autoantibodies targeting the D1 dopamine receptor | D1 receptors are involved in cognition, mood, motivation, and movement regulation |
| Anti-Dopamine D2L Receptor | Autoantibodies targeting the D2L dopamine receptor | D2L receptors are involved in tic disorders, OCD, and emotional regulation |
| Anti-Lysoganglioside-GM1 | Autoantibodies targeting a glycolipid in neuronal membranes | Associated with basal ganglia encephalitis and neuropsychiatric symptoms |
| Anti-Tubulin | Autoantibodies targeting tubulin, a protein in nerve cell structure | May contribute to choreiform movements and neurological symptoms |
| CaMKII Activation Assay | Measures the ability of the patient's autoantibodies to activate the CaMKII enzyme | CaMKII activation can trigger upregulation of dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine — producing neuropsychiatric symptoms |
Elevated levels on one or more of these markers indicate that autoantibodies targeting those neuronal structures are present in the patient's bloodstream at the time the sample was drawn. Research has found elevated levels in children with confirmed PANS and PANDAS diagnoses, and studies have shown that autoantibody titers can rise during flares and fall during remission in some children.
What elevated results do not mean:
This is the most important thing to understand about the Autoimmune Brain Panel. A normal result means that, at the time the blood was drawn, the five specific autoantibodies measured by the Panel were not elevated. It does not mean the child does not have PANS or PANDAS. PANS and PANDAS may involve autoantibodies not measured by this Panel. The Panel may have been drawn during remission when titers are lower. The diagnosis is clinical, not defined by this test. A provider who closes the door on PANS or PANDAS because this Panel is normal has misapplied the test.
The Autoimmune Brain Panel is most clinically useful when:
The Panel is less useful — and not typically recommended as a first-line test — in children who have not yet had a basic infectious workup, in children whose presentation does not clinically fit PANS or PANDAS, or as a screening test in the absence of symptoms.
Cost is also a relevant consideration. The Panel is not covered by most insurance plans and can range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars depending on the collection pathway. This is worth discussing with your provider before ordering.
These are examples of questions you might consider raising. This section is for education only.
"My child has a clinical picture that fits PANS or PANDAS but our infectious workup has not identified the trigger. Would the Autoimmune Brain Panel add useful information to our evaluation?"
Why this works: It frames the request in clinical terms and makes clear you understand the Panel's role as supportive evidence rather than a diagnostic test.
"If the Panel comes back normal, does that change the clinical diagnosis, and why or why not?"
Why this works: It invites the provider to explain their interpretation standard before results come in — so you understand what a normal result means in your child's specific context.
"Is the Panel covered by our insurance, and what is the estimated out-of-pocket cost if it isn't?"
Why this works: Cost is real and relevant. Asking before ordering avoids an unexpected bill for a test that may or may not change the clinical picture.
If this helped you see your child's behavior and biology in a new light, the next step is to keep building on that clarity. Our Spectrum Care Hub subscription gives you the complete course library, deeper dive modules, and ongoing support, so you don't have to navigate autism and PANS/PANDAS care alone. Join the learning community
The Autoimmune Brain Panel (formerly known as the Cunningham Panel) was renamed to better reflect what it measures. It is a series of five specialized blood tests performed by Moleculera Labs that measure autoantibodies directed against specific neuronal targets in the brain. The name changed; the test is the same.
Yes. Any licensed clinician can order the Panel through Moleculera Labs. However, interpretation of the results requires familiarity with PANS and PANDAS and with the Panel's limitations. If your pediatrician is not familiar with this test, asking for a referral to a PANS/PANDAS-informed specialist before ordering may be more productive.
Elevated results on the Panel do not specify a treatment. Treatment for PANS and PANDAS is determined by the full clinical picture — the trigger, the symptom presentation, the child's history, and the severity of the episode — not by the Panel results alone. The Panel is one piece of information in a larger clinical decision.
The Panel is typically not covered by standard insurance plans. Out-of-pocket costs can range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars depending on the collection pathway and geographic location. Ask your provider about current pricing before ordering. Some families use HSA or FSA funds for this expense.
A normal Panel result does not rule out PANS or PANDAS. The Panel measures five specific autoantibodies. PANS and PANDAS may involve immune mechanisms not captured by those five markers. The test may also have been drawn during a period of lower disease activity. The clinical diagnosis — based on timeline, symptoms, and history — stands independently of this test.
EDUCATIONAL CONTENT ONLY
This article is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and does not create a provider-patient relationship between the reader and Mary Margaret Burch, FNP-BC, FMAPS, or Spectrum Care Hub LLC. Do not use this article to self-diagnose, self-treat, or make decisions about your child's care without consultation with a qualified, licensed healthcare provider.
Individual children vary significantly in their biology, presentation, and response to interventions. Response rates and outcomes described in this article reflect population-level research findings and do not predict results for any individual child.
Biomedical interventions discussed are presented as potentially complementary to — not replacements for — conventional medical care.
Last reviewed by Mary Margaret Burch, FNP-BC, FMAPS — August 2026.
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