[Undertoad]

PANDAS resource network FAQ:

Q:I'm concerned about vaccinations and whether they cause of PANDAS
A: The research at this point indicates that the disease is a response to Group A Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus and not a result of vaccines.

Q:Will a vaccine trigger an exacerbation?
A: Possibly. The theory is that PANDAS children already have a weakened blood brain barrier and when a vaccine recruits T-cells, there is inflammation that can further breach the blood brain barrier. The vaccine acts like a mini version of the illness (bacterial or viral). While the immune system kills off the weakened bacteria/virus in the vaccine, the body still has an immune response and still produces localized inflammation allowing antibodies or B-cells to cross the blood-brain barrier. This is a very controversial area and talking with an immunologist with experience with MS, ARF or Sydenham Chorea is probably the best recommendation here.

Q: Does PANDAS cause permanent brain injury?
A: At present, it looks like exacerbations in PANDAS do not cause permanent harm to the brain. MRIs reveal no demyelization and while there are reports of enlargement of the basal ganglia (a part of the brain controlling fear, hunger, and motor skills), this seems to remit after treatment. We all certainly hope this is the case.