We do not understand why some children’s emotions and behaviour can be changed through illness. In the past decade, there has been significant progress in understanding how the brain is involved in altered behaviour. A recent finding is that children can get severe neurological and behavioural problems following a streptococcal throat infection. This type of illness may affect up to 1 in 200 children. Dr Dale will investigate how antibodies generated to fight the throat infection may, in some children, attack their own brain. As part of this project, a diagnostic blood test will be developed which may allow early detection and treatment.