Molecular Mimicry: How infections can trigger autoimmune encephalitis & neuropsychiatric symptoms The Cunningham Panel can aid in diagnosis & treatment

ABOUT THE WEBINAR

Emerging scientific and medical research convincingly demonstrates a relationship between infections, inflammation, immune dysfunction, and the onset of neurologic and psychiatric symptoms.

This webinar is hosted by Moleculera Labs and He Who Laughs: Championing Mental Wellness. It provides an insightful, yet basic description of autoimmune encephalopathy, including * PANS/PANDAS and explains how certain infectious organisms can trigger these disorders through molecular mimicry with the production of autoantibodies, resulting in neuropsychiatric symptoms. We will also explain how this process applies to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and its association with neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Each of the five antineuronal and basal ganglia autoantibody targets in the Cunningham Panel™ will be described, as well as common symptoms associated with them. We will review pre- and post-treatment case studies and a recently published clinical study demonstrating sensitivity and specificity of these targets and their correlation with neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Laboratory test results can provide support for a physician’s clinical diagnosis of an underlying autoimmune dysfunction directed against certain brain and nervous system targets. Test results can also assist a clinician in determining an appropriate treatment regimen.

Clinical practice and studies have demonstrated that with proper testing and treatment, patients experience significant reduction in neuropsychiatric symptoms or even complete resolution.

PRESENTER

Craig Shimasaki, PhD, MBA
Co-founder & CEO,
Moleculera Labs

Craig Shimasaki is President and CEO of Moleculera Labs, a neuroimmunology precision medicine company focused on identifying underlying roots of neurologic, psychiatric, and behavioral disorders triggered by an autoimmune response. He is a medical research scientist with over 35 years of translational development experience in biochemical interactions, molecular biology, viral pathogenesis and infection-triggered neuropsychiatric disorders.

Dr. Shimasaki has worked at all stages of research and development from bench to bedside. His research included epitope mapping of HIV proteins, genetic based risk predictors of breast cancer, influenza and RSV diagnostics and therapeutics and pathogenesis of infection triggered neuropsychiatric disorders. As a businessperson, he co-founded multiple companies and led multiple products through the FDA approval process and is a co-inventor on multiple patents.

Dr. Shimasaki started his career at Genentech. He received his BS in Biochemistry from University of California at Davis, his PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Tulsa, and his MBA from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Business. He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Oklahoma where he teaches biotechnology entrepreneurship. His passion is to help translate scientific and medical discoveries into acutely needed products so that more patients can live healthier lives.

HOST

April McMillan, MSW, LSW, ERYT-500, Reiki Practitioner

April is a proud, two-time graduate of The Ohio State University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology and a Master of Science in Social Work. April is a registered yoga instructor and is the owner of Anahata Mosaic, a yoga and wellness community, in Marysville, OH. In addition to the above education and training, April also holds a Reiki I and Reiki II certification. April is also one of the donor fund advisors for “He Who Laughs: Championing Mental Wellness.”