PANS & PANDAS Treatment in Newport Beach
Brain-Based Support for Sudden Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Children
When a child experiences sudden, dramatic changes in behavior, mood, or functioning, it can feel overwhelming and confusing. PANS and PANDAS involve disruptions in how the brain and immune system interact, often appearing almost overnight.
At Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach, we focus on understanding how the brain is functioning and supporting regulation at the neurological level.
What Are PANS and PANDAS?
PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections) describe a pattern of sudden-onset neuropsychiatric symptoms in children.
PANS is defined by abrupt onset of symptoms such as OCD, anxiety, tics, or eating changes, often following an infection, illness, or immune trigger.
PANDAS is a subset of PANS specifically associated with Group A streptococcal infections, such as strep throat.
While triggers may differ, both conditions share a key feature: rapid changes in behavior and emotional regulation driven by changes in brain function—not personality or parenting.
What Parents Often Notice First
Parents frequently describe the onset of PANS or PANDAS as sudden and unmistakable:
“It happened almost overnight.”
“My child knew something was wrong but couldn’t control it.”
“We didn’t recognize our child anymore.”
These symptoms are often misunderstood or initially labeled as anxiety, OCD, ADHD, or behavioral problems.
Many families spend months searching for answers before learning about PANS or PANDAS.
We believe that early recognition and a brain-based understanding can make a meaningful difference.
Common Symptoms of PANS and PANDAS
Symptoms often appear quickly and may fluctuate in intensity. Common features include:
- Sudden-onset OCD or intrusive thoughts
- Severe anxiety or separation anxiety
- Tics or abnormal movements
- Emotional outbursts, irritability, or rage episodes
- Behavioral regression or loss of age-appropriate skills
- Sensory sensitivities
- Difficulty concentrating or sudden academic decline
- Sleep disturbances
- Urinary frequency or bedwetting
- Sudden changes in eating habits or food restriction
Not every child experiences the same symptoms, but the speed and severity of onset are key diagnostic clues.
Why do Symptoms Appear so Suddenly?
Current research suggests that PANS and PANDAS involve a misdirected immune response. After an infection or immune trigger, antibodies may mistakenly affect parts of the brain involved in:
- Emotional regulation
- Motor control
- Behavior and impulse regulation
- Cognitive processing
The basal ganglia, a brain region responsible for regulating movement and behavior, are often implicated. When communication within these brain networks becomes disrupted, symptoms can appear abruptly and intensely.
This is why PANS and PANDAS are increasingly understood as neuroimmune conditions, not purely psychiatric disorders.
Why Standard Approaches Don’t Always Go Far Enough
Traditional treatment approaches may include:
- Antibiotics for active infections
- Anti-inflammatory or immune-modulating strategies
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Psychiatric medications to manage symptoms
While these interventions can be helpful, many families find that symptoms persist or return because underlying brain network dysregulation has not been fully addressed.
That’s where a brain-focused approach can play an important role.
MeRT is non-invasive, drug-free, and designed to work alongside medical, immune-focused, and therapeutic care. While it is not a standalone treatment for PANS or PANDAS, it can play an important role in supporting brain regulation and recovery when neurological signaling has been disrupted.
How MeRT Supports Brain Function in PANS and PANDAS
At Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach, we offer MeRT™ (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy), an advanced, EEG-guided form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).
rTMS is a non-invasive neuromodulation therapy that has been widely studied for its ability to support brain function in children and adults with a range of neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions. What makes MeRT different is that it is guided by each patient’s own EEG data, allowing treatment to be tailored to how the brain is actually functioning.
Rather than using a standardized protocol, MeRT begins with detailed quantitative EEG (qEEG) brain mapping to identify areas where brain signaling may be dysregulated or out of sync. We then use this information to guide rTMS personalized to the child’s unique brainwave patterns.
MeRT™ may help by:
- Identifying areas of disrupted or inefficient brain communication through EEG analysis.
- Supporting more balanced and organized brain network activity.
- Improving the brain’s ability to regulate emotion, attention, and behavior.
- Enhancing a child’s capacity to engage with and benefit from other therapies and supports.
What to Expect at Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach
Comprehensive Evaluation
- Detailed medical and symptom history
- Brain mapping with qEEG and EKG
- Personalized analysis by experienced clinicians
Individualized Treatment Plan
- Custom MeRT protocol based on brain data
- Gentle, non-invasive treatment sessions
- Ongoing monitoring and adjustments as the brain responds
As the original brain treatment clinic, Newport Beach has evaluated tens of thousands of EEGs and delivered over 130,000 treatments, bringing unmatched experience to complex neurological cases.
When to Consider a Brain-Based Evaluation
If your child experienced sudden behavioral or emotional changes, or if standard approaches haven’t fully addressed symptoms, a brain-based evaluation may provide valuable insight.
At Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach, the first step is a conversation. When you call, you’ll speak with our New Patient Coordinator, who will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and help you determine next steps. If appropriate, she can guide you through scheduling a comprehensive EEG brain mapping and consultation with our clinical team.
Our goal is to help families better understand what’s happening in the brain and support a thoughtful path toward improved regulation, stability, and quality of life.
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