Background:
PANS is an illness that comes on suddenly in children. The full name is Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. It can cause sudden obsessive-compulsive behaviors. It can also cause children to suddenly restricte their food intake. Researchers want to learn more about children with PANS. They also want to learn more about the illness.
Objective:
To study some disorders of behavior and emotion that start in childhood.
Eligibility:
Children 3 14 years old who have had severe obsessive-compulsive symptoms or food restriction start quickly
Design:
Parents will answer questions. The topics include:
Their child s medical history
Their child s physical and mental health
Their family history. The focus will be on neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions. A family tree will be drawn.
Participants will have a physical exam.
Participants may take tests on paper or computer. These will focus on thinking, memory, and behavior.
Participants and parents will give a blood sample.
Participants will have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A strong magnetic field and radio waves take pictures of the brain. Participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of a metal scanner.
Participants may have photos or videos taken.
Participants may have other tests. These may include heart tests, sleep tests, and lumbar puncture.
Sponsoring Institute: National Institute of Mental Health
Who can participate
Age range
3 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Are 3 to 14 years of age (initial enrollment must occur prior
. Have a history of abrupt onset (less than 24-48 hours) of impairing OCD and/or eating restrictions.
. Are able to travel safely to the regional medical center where the evaluations will be conducted and are able to be examined safely over a period of one or more days.
. Assent to participate (if they are at least seven years old and have capacity to do so) and have legal guardians who consent to their minor child s participation.
. Are under the care of a primary physician in their home community.
. Are a biologic parent or sibling of an affected proband.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Establish national database and samples repository for pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS)