April 2026

Dear Reader,

Our nonprofit has been working to support European efforts for greater recognition and treatment availability. Two events are occurring in the next few weeks that have worldwide impact.

First, a Global Virutal Streptococcus Research Symposium 2026 The conference focuses on strep science. To represent PANDAS and Rheumatic Fever Madeleine Cunningham, PhD, Oklahoma U, will speak on Autoimmune Mechanisms in Group A Streptococcal Sequelae: Rheumatic Fever, PANDAS and Beyond. Research from Columbia University will be shared by me, Diana Pohlman, on "Clinical Research at Columbia University, Building a Repository to Understand the Genetic Susceptibility for PANDAS and Sydenham Chorea." During the early summer we will hold a Q & A on these lectures for our PANDAS Network families.

Next, on May 13th our Chief Scientific Advisory Dr. Dritan Agalliu will present neuroscientific evidence to the European Parliment, in Brussels, Belgium. The event created by the Italian Associazione Genitori PANS PANDAS BGE, PANS & PANDAS: A Bridge Between Science, Healthcare, and European Policies will have PANS/PANDAS representatives from around the world. PANDAS Network is sending two parents from Sweden to share the experiences and triumph to overcome a difficult diagnosis of Sydenham Chorea.
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It is important to understand we are a global community sharing many things including infectious agents and stewardship of medication. The world is moving towards understanding the consequences of undertreated strep bacteria. Sydenham Chorea experts have written new guidelines that are important to download and save. It does clearly acknowledge psychiatric symptoms and the need for immunotherapy to some extent but does not advise continued treatment for recurrences. It is a strong step forward that we hope our PANS Consortium can advise on over time. Dr. Susan Swedo, former Director of the NIMH was on the committee for the creation of these new guidelines and we appreciate her 30+ years of advocacy for our families.

CALM PATHWAYS, Easy-to-use App to Track Daily Symptom Severity

​www.meandmypandas.com​

When your child is diagnosed with PANDAS or PANS, you quickly become a detective—tracking symptoms in notebooks, saving lab results, and trying to remember what changed before the last flare. You know there are patterns hidden somewhere in all that information, but connecting the dots while managing daily life can feel overwhelming. Calm Pathways was created to give parents a clearer, more organized way forward.

The app brings symptom tracking, flare journaling, sleep and food monitoring, medication logs, and lab storage into one secure space. Instead of scattered notes and spreadsheets, families can finally see the full picture.

What sets Calm Pathways apart is its ability to turn tracking into insight. With one click, parents can generate organized reports to share with their child’s care team, making appointments more productive and less stressful. Designed for real life—including the hardest days—daily check-ins take just minutes, but the clarity they provide can make a lasting difference.

Calm Pathways exists to reduce mental overload and help families feel steadier in an unpredictable journey. Available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

​www.meandmypandas.com​

Sincerely,
Diana Pohlman
Executive Director
PANDAS Network
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