EXPAND is a pan-European patient advocacy organization for children, adolescents and adults with immune-mediated, neuro-psychiatric disorders. These disorders combine neurological and/or immunological problems with psychiatric and/or behavioral symptoms.
EXPAND is a pan-European patient advocacy organization for children, adolescents and adults with immune-mediated neuropsychiatric conditions that combine neurological and/or immunological problems with psychiatric and/or behavioral symptoms.
The association originated as an informal alliance of European patient advocacy organizations which came together in 2018 to respond with one voice to a medical journal article concerning PANS/PANDAS treatment. In the ensuing months, they continued to discuss their challenges in seeking appropriate treatment and expanding understanding of this devastating disorder.
During the 2019 SANE-Sweden PANS conference, the alliance agreed to formally organize into what became EXPAND, The European Immuno-neuropsychiatric Association. The association and the EXPAND Foundation were registered in 2020. Initial steps were taken toward achieving our vision, including the recruitment of respected researchers and practitioners to the EXPAND Scientific and Medical Advisory Board (SMAB).
