Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share S2 E15 Science Under Siege: A conversation with Dr. Uğur Akcan and Dr. Dritan Agalliu about PANDAS Research, NIH Cuts, and the Power of Community
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
S2 E15 Science Under Siege: A conversation with Dr. Uğur Akcan and Dr. Dritan Agalliu about PANDAS Research, NIH Cuts, and the Power of Community
How does a common strep infection become a brain disorder? Dr. Uğur Akcan's journey from Istanbul to the cutting edge of PANDAS research with Dr. Dritan Agalliu reveals the fascinating intersection of immune system and brain function that could transform how we understand and treat neuropsychiatric disorders.
In this captivating conversation, Dr. Akcan shares his research path from studying complement levels in patients with bipolar disorder to pioneering work on the blood-brain barrier, ultimately contributing to groundbreaking discoveries about PANDAS and PANS in the Agalliu Lab at Columbia University. With remarkable clarity, he explains how mutations in the RxRA gene may explain why only some children develop these disorders after streptococcal infections, and how microglia—the brain's immune cells—fail to properly regulate neuroinflammation when this gene is compromised.
The discussion takes an unexpected turn as we learn how Dr. Akcan's vital research was nearly derailed in March 2025 by sudden NIH funding cuts directed by the Trump administration at Columbia. In a dramatic development, the PANDAS/PANS community rallied to save his position through a GoFundMe campaign, demonstrating the powerful connection between affected families and researchers working to solve this medical mystery.
Beyond the scientific discoveries, Dr. Akcan's personal story reflects the qualities that drive medical breakthroughs: curiosity about why peripheral infections trigger brain symptoms, perseverance through research challenges, and passion for helping those affected by these devastating disorders. His development of a 3D blood-brain barrier model and investigations into Th17 cells represent frontier science with real-world implications for treatment.
When Dr. Akcan is not in the lab, you may find him watching football, rooting for his favorite team, Galatasaray, or spending time with his wife and young child.
Dr. Agalliu also joins me to discuss how the NIH funding cuts have affected his lab.
Support Dr. Akcan's crucial PANDAS/PANS research by visiting this GoFundMe page and join the community working to unravel PANDAS and PANS. Your contribution could help transform our understanding of how infections trigger neuropsychiatric symptoms and lead to better treatments for children, adolescents, and young adults suffering from these disorders. Both researchers express deep gratitude to supporters of this work.
The goal is to raise $100,000 to cover Dr Akcan's annual salary and benefits -- only $15, 602 left!
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.
Credits: Music by Kingsley Durant from his "Convertible" album
To learn more about PANDAS and PANS and The Alex Manfull Fund, visit our website: TheAlexManfullFund.org
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
View all episodes
By Susan Newman Manfull, PhD
5
2222 ratings
How does a common strep infection become a brain disorder? Dr. Uğur Akcan's journey from Istanbul to the cutting edge of PANDAS research with Dr. Dritan Agalliu reveals the fascinating intersection of immune system and brain function that could transform how we understand and treat neuropsychiatric disorders.
In this captivating conversation, Dr. Akcan shares his research path from studying complement levels in patients with bipolar disorder to pioneering work on the blood-brain barrier, ultimately contributing to groundbreaking discoveries about PANDAS and PANS in the Agalliu Lab at Columbia University. With remarkable clarity, he explains how mutations in the RxRA gene may explain why only some children develop these disorders after streptococcal infections, and how microglia—the brain's immune cells—fail to properly regulate neuroinflammation when this gene is compromised.
The discussion takes an unexpected turn as we learn how Dr. Akcan's vital research was nearly derailed in March 2025 by sudden NIH funding cuts directed by the Trump administration at Columbia. In a dramatic development, the PANDAS/PANS community rallied to save his position through a GoFundMe campaign, demonstrating the powerful connection between affected families and researchers working to solve this medical mystery.
Beyond the scientific discoveries, Dr. Akcan's personal story reflects the qualities that drive medical breakthroughs: curiosity about why peripheral infections trigger brain symptoms, perseverance through research challenges, and passion for helping those affected by these devastating disorders. His development of a 3D blood-brain barrier model and investigations into Th17 cells represent frontier science with real-world implications for treatment.
When Dr. Akcan is not in the lab, you may find him watching football, rooting for his favorite team, Galatasaray, or spending time with his wife and young child.
Dr. Agalliu also joins me to discuss how the NIH funding cuts have affected his lab.
Support Dr. Akcan's crucial PANDAS/PANS research by visiting this GoFundMe page and join the community working to unravel PANDAS and PANS. Your contribution could help transform our understanding of how infections trigger neuropsychiatric symptoms and lead to better treatments for children, adolescents, and young adults suffering from these disorders. Both researchers express deep gratitude to supporters of this work.
The goal is to raise $100,000 to cover Dr Akcan's annual salary and benefits -- only $15, 602 left!
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.
Credits: Music by Kingsley Durant from his "Convertible" album
To learn more about PANDAS and PANS and The Alex Manfull Fund, visit our website: TheAlexManfullFund.org
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
More shows like Untangling PANDAS & PANS: Conversations about Infection-Associated, Immune-Mediated Neuropsychiatric Disorders
View all
On Being with Krista Tippett
10,389 Listeners
Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children
961 Listeners
AT Parenting Survival | Raising Kids with OCD & Anxiety
1,196 Listeners
Everything Happens with Kate Bowler
5,045 Listeners
The Dr. Hyman Show
9,353 Listeners
The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast
2,064 Listeners
The Baffling Behavior Show {Parenting after Trauma}
244 Listeners
We Can Do Hard Things
41,337 Listeners
The Root Cause Medicine Podcast
559 Listeners
The Mel Robbins Podcast
20,416 Listeners
At Peace Parents Podcast
337 Listeners
PANS/PANDAS STORIES
16 Listeners
Surviving The Flares: An Emotional Toolkit For PANS/PANDAS Families In Crisis Mode
10 Listeners
Mom & Doc Talk: Healing PANS/PANDAS
7 Listeners
Demystifying PANS/PANDAS Podcast
29 Listeners