A doctor working to determine what is causing more than a dozen teenage girls to experience uncontrollable tics announced all the girls he has seen have tested positive for infections that could mean they are suffering from Pediatric Acute Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS, formerly known as PANDAS.)


Dr. Rosario Trifiletti made his announcement on the Dr. Drew Show on the cable network HLN.

"I can tell you that they are testing positive for, each one is testing positive either for streptococcas or mycoplasma, which are known triggers of the PANDAS/ PANS Syndrome," said Trifiletti.

Trifeletti was called for a second opinion by parents in LeRoy who aren't satisfied with the initial diagnosis, conversion disorder, given by the doctors at DENT Neurological in Amherst.

There are some parents who are satisfied with that diagnosis.

Dr. David Lichter, a Clinical Professor of Neurology at the University at Buffalo has examined one of the affected girls, and says it appears the girls are suffering from conversion disorder.

In fact, Dr. Lichter is warning that social media outlets like YouTube and Facebook might actually aid the spread of disorder.

"When you're being exposed also through videos and uploaded images to the same kind of phenomena, if you are a person who is vulnerable in some way, because of your own stresses and anxieties, and particularly if you identify with that individual, through some kind of an emotional bond through the kind of behaviors or in this case, movements that they're exhibiting," said Dr. Lichter, "Then I think there is a potential to create a further potential spread beyond that area that was initially involved."

Lichter says social media can be a double-edged sword in this case, and sometime people can seek support online as well.