“My Brain Feels Better”

About this episode

Lisa and Craig discuss their son Ryan's experience with PANS and the impact of immune responses on behavior.

Parents Lisa and Craig recount their son Ryan’s sudden, devastating onset of PANS—extreme OCD, emotional contamination, refusal to leave home, or even the couch. Today we’re talking about PANS and PANDAS. These are conditions in which a child’s immune response to an infection—sometimes strep—can trigger sudden changes in behavior or psychiatric symptoms like anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, or tics. It’s uncommon, but when it happens the changes can be dramatic, which is why awareness among parents and pediatricians is important. Immunologist Dr. Anthony Infante describes using targeted autoimmune testing (Cunningham panel) and IVIG antibody infusions, which gradually restored Ryan’s sleep, hygiene, and social life and ultimately returned him to a healthy, functioning young adult.

People in this episode

Hosts: Lisa, Craig

Guest: Dr. Anthony Infante

Topics covered

• PANS
• PANDAS
• OCD
• immune response
• behavioral changes
• pediatric health

Keywords

• PANS
• PANDAS
• OCD
• immune response
• behavioral symptoms
• IVIG
• Cunningham panel
• pediatric health

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Cunningham panel

More episodes of Pediatrics Now for Parents

• Concussion Care: what does the Spurs team orthopedic surgeon want you to know? · June 3, 2026 · 13 min
• Cruise Ship Hantavirus Scare: What Parents Should Know · May 22, 2026 · 30 min
• Protect the Brain: Early Signs of Concussion Every Parent Should Know · May 7, 2026 · 17 min
• Spurs Team Surgeon on Concussions: What Parents Need to Know · April 27, 2026 · 18 min
• Artemis II: From the Moon to Medicine — Inside NASA's AVATAR Experiment with Dr. Lisa Carnell · April 21, 2026 · 19 min
• 👉 How to Build Resilience — with Fox News Host and Former War Correspondent Benjamin Hall | Hosted by Holly Wayment · March 25, 2026 · 38 min