First off, it’s not about real panda bears though they do make the cutest mascot! PANDAS/PANS are acronyms for two conditions that affect the brain: Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS).

People with PANDAS/PANS may experience many different physical and mental health symptoms such as anxiety, tics, sudden behavioral changes, motor or sensory changes and others. The combination of symptoms vary and may change over time.

These disorders are believed to be caused by abnormal immune and/or inflammatory response to infection.