May 19th, 2025

Hello Reader,

Your unwavering support has been the backbone of groundbreaking PANDAS/PANS research over the years, and we’re deeply grateful for your commitment to advancing hope and healing for PANDAS/PANS children and adults. Today, we’re reaching out with an urgent request to sustain critical research during a unique moment in history where many U.S. universities are losing billions in research funding.

For over a decade, The Agalliu Lab at Columbia University has led cutting-edge neuroscience, significantly advancing the scientific understanding of PANDAS/PANS. However, due to sudden substantial cuts in biomedical research grants, the University was forced to begin laying off postdoctoral researchers. One of these dedicated researchers is a PANDAS/PANS scientist, from Dr. Agalliu's Laboratory, Dr. Ugur Akcan.

​Dr. Akcan is spearheading critical projects, including finalizing research for publication and collaborating with scientific reviewers to share findings that could reshape treatment approaches for PANDAS/PANS.

Thanks to generous contributions from the PANDAS Physicians Network, the Look Foundation, Northwest PANDAS/PANS Network, The Alex Manfull Fund, and us, The PANDAS Network, we’ve made a strong start, but we are still short of our goal to keep Dr. Ackan paid for one year before longer-term funding can be secured.

We need your help to ensure this vital research continues without interruption. Please consider making a donation today to support Dr. Akcan and the Agalliu Lab’s mission.

Together, we can keep the momentum going, bringing us closer to answers and hope for families affected by PANDAS/PANS. Thank you for standing with us in this critical moment. If you have any questions please email us at pandasnetwork@gmail.com.

With gratitude and optimism,

Diana Pohlman,
Executive Director, PANDAS Network