# Susan Swedo > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Susan_Swedo > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Susan_Swedo.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Swedo > Source revision: 1302796600 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|American neuroscientist}} '''Susan Swedo''' is a researcher in the field of [pediatrics](/source/pediatrics) and [neuropsychiatry](/source/neuropsychiatry). Beginning in 1998, she was Chief of the Pediatrics & Developmental Neuroscience Branch at the US [National Institute of Mental Health](/source/National_Institute_of_Mental_Health). In 1994, Swedo was lead author on a paper describing pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections ([PANDAS](/source/PANDAS)), a controversial hypothesis proposing a link between [Group A streptococcal infection](/source/Group_A_streptococcal_infection) in children and some rapid-onset cases of [obsessive-compulsive disorder](/source/obsessive-compulsive_disorder) (OCD) or [tic disorder](/source/tic_disorder)s such as [Tourette syndrome](/source/Tourette_syndrome).{{cite journal |vauthors=Swedo SE, Leonard HL, Kiessling LS |title=Speculations on antineuronal antibody-mediated neuropsychiatric disorders of childhood |journal=Pediatrics |volume=93 |issue=2 |pages=323–6 |date=February 1994 |doi=10.1542/peds.93.2.323 |pmid=8121747 |s2cid=46734647 }} Swedo retired from the NIH in 2019, and serves on the PANDAS Physician Network. == Biography == {{BLP unsourced section|date=November 2021}} Swedo received a BA degree from [Augustana College](/source/Augustana_College_(Illinois)) in 1977, and an MD from [Southern Illinois University School of Medicine](/source/Southern_Illinois_University_School_of_Medicine) in 1980. Her internship and residency in [pediatrics](/source/pediatrics) were conducted at the Children’s Memorial Hospital of the [McGaw Medical Center](/source/McGaw_Medical_Center) of [Northwestern University](/source/Northwestern_University). Following completion of her residency, Swedo served as Chief of the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Northwestern until 1986. In 1986, Swedo she joined [Judith L. Rapoport](/source/Judith_L._Rapoport)'s laboratory as a senior staff fellow in the Child Psychiatry Branch of the [National Institute of Mental Health](/source/National_Institute_of_Mental_Health) (NIMH). There, she conducted research on pharmacological treatments for childhood [obsessive-compulsive disorder](/source/obsessive-compulsive_disorder) (OCD), and was granted tenure in 1992. In 1994, she was named Head of the Section on Behavioral Pediatrics, and from 1995 to 1998 also served as the Acting Scientific Director for NIMH. In 1998, she became Chief of the Pediatrics and Developmental Neuropsychiatry Branch (PDN) at NIMH. At PDN, Swedo conducted research on the causes and treatment of pediatric neuropsychiatric disorders, including OCD, [anxiety disorder](/source/anxiety_disorder)s, and [autistic spectrum](/source/autistic_spectrum) disorders. Swedo was a member of the [DSM-5](/source/DSM-5) task force, which published an updated version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 2013. Swedo has won several awards, including the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Award for Scientific Achievement and the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology International Award for Clinical Research. [https://www.ninds.nih.gov/current-research/research-ninds/intramural-research Susan E. Swedo, M.D., Senior Investigator at the National Institutes of Health][http://www.iom.edu/?id=39886 Susan Swedo at the Institute of Medicine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527152703/http://www.iom.edu/?id=39886 |date=2011-05-27 }}[http://www.psych.org/MainMenu/Research/DSMIV/DSMV/MeettheTaskForce/SusanSwedoMD.aspx Susan Swedo, MD at the American Psychiatric Association] == PANDAS == {{see also|PANDAS}} In 1994, Swedo was lead author on a paper describing Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections ([PANDAS](/source/PANDAS)). The proposed mechanism, similar to that of [rheumatic fever](/source/rheumatic_fever), is one of an inappropriate [autoimmune response](/source/Autoimmunity) in the brain, leading to repetitive behaviors. The proportion of cases of these neuropsychiatric disorders, if any, following this mechanism is not clear.{{cite journal |author=Shulman ST |title=Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococci (PANDAS): update |journal=Curr. Opin. Pediatr. |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=127–30 |date=February 2009 |pmid=19242249 |doi=10.1097/MOP.0b013e32831db2c4|s2cid=37434919 }} The PANDAS hypothesis is controversial and unproven.{{cite journal |vauthors=Wilbur C, Bitnun A, Kronenberg S, Laxer RM, Levy DM, Logan WJ, Shouldice M, Yeh EA |title=PANDAS/PANS in childhood: Controversies and evidence |journal=Paediatr Child Health |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=85–91 |date=May 2019 |pmid=30996598 |pmc=6462125 |doi=10.1093/pch/pxy145}} As of 2020, the NIH information pages (which Swedo helped write) do not mention the studies that do not support the PANDAS hypothesis.{{cite web |author= Borrell, Brendan |url= https://www.spectrumnews.org/features/deep-dive/how-a-controversial-condition-called-pandas-is-gaining-ground-on-autism/ |title= How a controversial condition called PANDAS is gaining ground on autism |date= January 2020 |work= Spectrum News |publisher= Simons Foundation |access-date= November 23, 2021}} == Autism study == In September 2006, Swedo launched a study of the widespread but unproven use of [chelation therapy](/source/chelation_therapy), which is based on the hypothesis that the [mercury](/source/Mercury_(element))-containing vaccine preservative [thiomersal](/source/thiomersal) is linked with [autism](/source/autism).{{cite press release |title=New NIMH research program launches autism trials |date=2006-09-07 |publisher=National Institute of Mental Health |url=http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2006/new-nimh-research-program-launches-autism-trials.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070920095528/http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2006/new-nimh-research-program-launches-autism-trials.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 20, 2007 |access-date=2010-01-07 }} The trial was to compare the chelator [DMSA](/source/Dimercaptosuccinic_acid) with placebo, with the social and language skills of the subjects being evaluated after twelve weeks. The trial was halted in February 2007 due to ethical concerns about safety following new evidence of risks of permanent cognitive and emotional problems in otherwise-healthy rodents that were given DMSA.{{cite journal |journal=Science |date=2008 |volume=321 |issue=5887 |pages=326 |title=Stalled trial for autism highlights dilemma of alternative treatments |author=Stokstad E |doi=10.1126/science.321.5887.326 |pmid=18635766 |s2cid=206581219 |doi-access=free }} == Bibliography == * ''It's Not All In Your Head: The Real Causes and Newest Solutions to Women's Most Common Health Problem'' {{ISBN|978-0-06-251287-1}} * ''Is it "Just a Phase"?: How to Tell Common Childhood Phases from More Serious Problems'' {{ISBN|978-0-7679-0391-2}} == References == {{reflist}} {{Obsessive–compulsive disorder}} {{authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Swedo, Susan}} Category:American neuroscientists Category:Living people Category:Obsessive–compulsive disorder researchers Category:American women neuroscientists Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:21st-century American women --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Susan Swedo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Swedo) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Swedo?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.