Gilian will shed light on the autoimmune syndromes often termed PANDAS – (Paediatric) Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus –and PANS – (Paediatric) Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. These are infection-triggered neuropsychiatric syndromes induced by molecular mimicry in the brain, and have extensive crossover with conditions such as ASD, OCD, Tourette’s and even anxiety disorder. These encephalopathies are becoming increasingly common worldwide – and not just among children, which is why the word “paediatric” really needs to be left out in the acronyms PANDAS and PANS. Gilian will explain the drivers, symptoms, the testing available, and the different interventions that can be used to relieve these highly distressing conditions.

Gilian Crowther MA (Oxon), Dip NT/ND, mANP, is a Naturopath and registered Nutritional Therapist. She gained qualifications in complementary therapy in Germany for many years, studying the mitochondria in particular, before taking up further training in the UK. Gilian has been helping to support families with children suffering from PANS/PANDAS for over a decade due to her work as Director of Research at the UK’s Academy of Nutritional Medicine (AONM), which runs testing for these conditions with a dedicated laboratory in the USA. She has been a core member of AONM since 2010, and is also on the Committee of the British Society for Ecological Medicine, assisting with their training for GPs and other outreach, as well as the General Naturopathic Council.