PANS and PANDAS: Why Treating the Infection Isn’t Enough
For many families, a PANS or PANDAS diagnosis can feel confusing and overwhelming. Most are told the same story: that the infection is the cause, and the goal is to fight it with antibiotics or antivirals. But at Infinity, we see something very different when we look at the full picture.
As Dr. Josh and Dr. Loren discussed in a recent podcast, treating the infection is only part of the story. True healing requires addressing the immune system, the brain, and the energy systems that keep everything running.
Looking Beyond the Infection
PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) often begin after an infection. But the infection isn’t the main problem, it’s what happens afterward.
When the immune system becomes overactive, it can start attacking the brain’s own tissues. This creates inflammation in the nervous system, disrupts energy production in brain cells, and triggers a chain reaction of neurological symptoms like tics, anxiety, emotional swings, and behavioral changes.
Over time, this immune and inflammatory storm can cause deeper problems: primitive reflexes reappear, balance and coordination drop, and even eye movements become uncoordinated.
The Brain Connection: Basal Ganglia and Movement
One of the most affected areas in kids with PANS or PANDAS is the basal ganglia, a part of the brain deeply involved in movement, attention, and emotional regulation.
As Dr. Loren explained, these kids often look like they’ve had a concussion. Their balance is off, their eyes don’t track smoothly, and they show signs of motor disorganization. That’s because inflammation doesn’t just change how they feel; it changes how their brain circuits fire and communicate.
When those motor systems are retrained through neurorehab, balance work, reflex integration, and targeted exercises, it doesn’t just improve coordination. It helps calm the nervous system, stabilize emotions, and restore attention and focus.
Why Some Kids Struggle More Than Others
Not every child who gets a strep infection develops PANDAS. The difference often comes down to mitochondrial health and total stress load.
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of brain cells. When they are strong, kids are resilient. When they are overwhelmed by infections, toxins, head injuries, mold exposure, or poor nutrition, the brain’s energy supply drops and inflammation takes over.
Dr. Josh shared his own experience with his son’s recovery. After focusing less on killing infections and more on restoring energy, reducing inflammation, and retraining the brain, his son’s progress changed dramatically.
Healing began when the focus shifted from “fighting the infection” to “repairing the system.”
The Foundations of Healing
No matter what type of PANS or PANDAS symptoms a child is facing, every recovery starts with the same foundation:
Nutrition: Removing inflammatory foods like gluten and dairy, stabilizing blood sugar, and increasing healthy fats and proteins to fuel the brain.
Physical activity: Getting the body moving improves circulation, oxygen delivery, and mitochondrial function.
Sleep: Deep, consistent rest allows the brain to reset, repair, and regulate.
Once those foundations are strong, we can layer in additional supports:
Laser therapy to calm inflammation and stimulate mitochondrial repair.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy to restore oxygen levels and energy in the brain.
Antioxidant support to help the body manage oxidative stress and protect cells.
Even simple lifestyle habits can help boost the body’s own antioxidant systems: exercise, short bursts of cold exposure, time in a sauna, or regular outdoor movement.
Looking at the Whole Child
Every child’s situation is unique. Genetic factors can play a role in how well they detoxify, regulate inflammation, or make antioxidants. Environmental stressors, early injuries, and gut health all add up.
That’s why at Infinity, we never look at PANS or PANDAS as a single problem to “fix.” We look at how each layer: immune, metabolic, neurological, and emotional fits together. The goal isn’t just to remove symptoms, but to rebuild balance and resilience across the whole nervous system.
If your child is struggling with symptoms of PANS or PANDAS and you feel stuck or uncertain about what to do next, there is hope. Healing takes more than a prescription, it takes a plan that supports the brain, body, and energy systems working together.
Schedule a call with our team to learn how we can help your child begin to calm inflammation, rebuild balance, and get back to thriving.