The Cunningham Panel Test is a specialized diagnostic tool used to investigate certain neuropsychiatric conditions. It is a blood test designed to identify specific markers within a patient’s immune system. This panel assists healthcare providers in understanding whether an individual’s symptoms might stem from an underlying autoimmune response affecting the brain.
What the Test Identifies
The Cunningham Panel Test measures specific antibodies and other biological markers in the blood. Four tests identify circulating autoantibodies, which are antibodies mistakenly targeting the body’s own tissues. These autoantibodies include those directed against Dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, Lysoganglioside GM-1, and Tubulin. Elevated levels of these autoantibodies can suggest an autoimmune process within the nervous system.
The panel also includes a unique fifth test, the CaMKII assay, which measures the ability of a patient’s autoantibodies to stimulate the CaMKII enzyme. This enzyme plays a role in brain neurotransmitter activity. An increase in CaMKII activity can lead to various neurological and psychiatric symptoms. By assessing these markers, the test aims to provide insight into whether the immune system is actively impacting brain function.
Its Role in Specific Conditions
The Cunningham Panel Test is primarily utilized to support the diagnosis of infection-triggered autoimmune neuropsychiatric syndromes, such as Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS). These conditions are characterized by the sudden onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms, often following an infection. The test helps determine if these symptoms are linked to an autoimmune dysfunction rather than a primary psychiatric disorder.
For instance, in PANDAS, symptoms like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and tics may appear after a streptococcal infection. PANS can be triggered by various other pathogens, including Lyme disease, mycoplasma, viruses, or fungi. The panel helps identify if the immune response to infections has led to antibodies attacking brain cells, causing behavioral and neurological changes. Identifying this autoimmune basis can guide specific treatment approaches, such as immunotherapy or antibiotics, that address the root cause of the symptoms.
Understanding the Results
Results from the Cunningham Panel Test are typically presented with values for each of the five measured markers. Healthcare professionals look for individual test results that exceed their established normal ranges. If one or more of these values are elevated, it may indicate a clinically relevant autoimmune neurological condition. For example, high levels of anti-Dopamine D1 antibodies have been associated with psychiatric symptoms like OCD behaviors and tics.
An elevated result does not automatically provide a definitive diagnosis. The results provide objective data supporting a physician’s clinical assessment, including medical history, symptoms, and other diagnostic findings. A qualified healthcare professional familiar with autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders interprets the panel’s findings within the patient’s overall clinical picture to determine appropriate next steps.
Important Considerations
The Cunningham Panel Test serves as a tool within a comprehensive diagnostic process and is not a standalone diagnostic test. The test is offered exclusively through Moleculera Labs, Inc., which sets the cost, typically around $995. Patients are often responsible for this cost, though a deposit may be accepted for those with commercial insurance.
There are ongoing discussions within the medical community regarding the precise role and acceptance of the Cunningham Panel Test. Some institutions have noted that its diagnostic performance may not be consistently reliable in detecting conditions like PANDAS. While the panel can provide insights for some clinicians, its utility and evidence-based clinical application remain subjects of continued research and varying perspectives.