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Research Highlight

A major focus of ongoing research at UC Irvine is to develop new therapeutic strategies designed to limit ongoing demyelination while repairing damaged nerve tissue.

Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / PANDAS Conference

Sept. 24-25, 2012 (Final session concludes by 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 25th) The School of Biological Sciences and the Allergan Foundation present “Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / PANDAS” Conference This two-day conference will focus on the pathological mechanisms that cause autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system and the methods for their diagnosis and treatment. The conference sessions will explore aspects of the immunology and neuropathology of some established CNS autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis or Syndenham’s chorea. In addition, the conference will examine the emerging evidence that some pediatric mental illnesses (e.g. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, Tourette Syndrome, or PANDAS /PANS) may result from an aberrant autoimmune response toward the CNS triggered by infection from either Group A Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS), or possibly by other infectious agents. The event is organized by Dritan Agalliu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, UC Irvine. The conference offers CME accreditation designed for MDs, PhDs, and RNs in Pediatrics, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Neurobiology, Neurology, and Psychiatry. A panel discussion on the evening of September 24th will be geared toward community members, families of affected children with PANDAS and other interested parties. There will be a poster session on September 24th. We encourage graduate students and postdocs at UCI who are interested in neuroimmunology, immunology or neurobiology to submit their abstracts for this conference to Dr. Dritan Agalliu at dagalliu@uci.edu by September 14th. Registration for any portion of the conference, including the Monday evening panel, is required. However, registration is free for UCI members. REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 19, 2012. To make a reservation, go to www.bio.uci.edu/index.cfm and click on The Allergan Lecture in Modern Biology/PANDAS event under the Calendar section. http://www.bio.uci.edu/events/docs/PANDASevent.pdf We look forward to seeing you at the conference.