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What is the Autoimmune Brain Panel — and does my child need it?

Many parents and providers still refer to this as the Cunningham Panel, though the current name is the Autoimmune Brain Panel. It measures specific antibodies in the blood that, in some children with PANS and PANDAS, appear to be reacting against proteins in the brain. One of the markers it measures — CaM Kinase II activation — can support a PANS or PANDAS diagnosis in the right clinical context. However, as Mary notes, this is one piece of a much larger and not yet fully standardized diagnostic picture. There is a wide variety of testing that experienced providers may use, and no single universally agreed-upon testing protocol exists. This lack of standardization is one of the reasons PANS and PANDAS are underdiagnosed and why many medical professionals remain unfamiliar with the full diagnostic approach. Whether this panel is appropriate for your child is a decision for a provider with specific PANS and PANDAS experience.

This content is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.
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