MD For Moms Radio, Every Wednesday 1pm (ET) on The BBM Global Network and TuneIn Radio.
This week on MD for Moms, I’ll be interviewing Neurologist Dr. David Younger about disorders triggered by infection and autoimmunity that can impact the children’s nervous systems. Examples include Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS).
Everyone has likely heard of Lyme Disease, but did you know that it can affect the brain? This is one of several causes of PANS. Symptoms can be vague, so it is often misdiagnosed. Have you ever heard of PANDAS? It isn’t referring to the cute bears in the zoo! PANDAS is a syndrome resulting from strep throat. Children wake up one morning with new tics, or psychiatric symptoms like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Behavior often changes drastically and children can have significant issues in school and at home. Scary!
Dr. Younger will share how these infections impact the body, common symptoms and treatment options. Dr. Younger will share a balanced review and will explain some of the medical controversies surrounding these illnesses.
Have questions about Lyme Disease, PANS or PANDAS? Ask Dr. David Younger LIVE on air: 855-856-1380
Learn more about my guest, Dr. David Younger:
Dr. Younger completed a three-year medicine residency before completing his training in neurology, followed by three years of fellowship before joining Columbia’s faculty as Assistant Professor. He was recruited to three Manhattan hospitals where he served as Chief of Neuromuscular Diseases for over almost two decades, already an established editor and author of several textbooks and over 200 research articles.
Almost 35 years after graduating from Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Younger, Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology and Adjunct Associate Professor of Public Health, completed a Master of Science degree in epidemiology, and a Master of Public Health degree at NYU, writing his thesis on PANDAS. His research recognized the beneficial effect of immune modulatory therapy in PANDAS, employing intravenous immune globulin.
It was not until he returned to postgraduate training in public health that he discovered that he had an interest and talent in epidemiology research. Recognizing that there are many disorders that impact children that do not neatly fit into the designation of neurologic or psychiatric, Dr. Younger has paved the way for a doctorate degree in public health this fall to contribute to the emerging field of childhood inflammatory brain diseases.
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