1
|
Kirschstein T, Köhling R. Functional changes in neuronal circuits due to antibody-driven autoimmune response. Neurobiol Dis 2023:106221. [PMID: 37414365 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune-mediated encephalitis syndromes are increasingly being recognized as important clinical entities. They need to be thought of as differential diagnosis in any patient presenting with fast-onset psychosis or psychiatric problems, memory deficits or other cognitive problems, including aphasias, as well as seizures or motor automatisms, but also rigidity, paresis, ataxia or dystonic / parkinsonian symptoms. Diagnosis including imaging and CSF search for antibodies needs to be fast, as progression of these inflammatory processes is often causing scarring of brain tissue, with hypergliosis and atrophy. As these symptoms show, the autoantibodies present in these cases appear to act within the CNS. Several of such antibodies have by now been identified such as IgG directed against NMDA-receptors, AMPA receptors, GABAA and GABAB receptors, and voltage gated potassium channels and proteins of the potassium channel complex (i.e. LGI1 and CASPR2). These are neuropil / surface antigens where antibody interaction can well be envisaged to cause dysfunction of the target protein, including internalization. Others, such as antibodies directed against GAD65 (an intracellular enzyme responsible for GABA-synthesis from glutamate), are discussed to constitute epiphenomena, but not causal agents in disease progression. This review will focus on the current knowledge of antibody interaction mechanisms, especially discussing cellular excitability changes and synaptic interactions in hippocampal and other brain networks. One challenge in this context is to find viable hypotheses for the emergence of both, hyperexcitability and seizures, and presumably reduced synaptic plasticity and underlying cognitive dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timo Kirschstein
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, Gertrudenstraße 9, 18057 Rostock, Germany; Center for Translational Neuroscience Research, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Köhling
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, Gertrudenstraße 9, 18057 Rostock, Germany; Center for Translational Neuroscience Research, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Khunkhun S, Aggarwal K, Iqbal H, Satyadev N, Mann K, Ruxmohan S, Perez G, Tamton H. A Rare Presentation of a Complex Mixed Autoimmune Encephalitis Diagnosis: A Case Report and Literature Review. Cureus 2022; 14:e29607. [PMID: 36321035 PMCID: PMC9600930 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.29607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This case report presents a unique case of a difficult differential diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis (AE) in the setting of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. A 40-year-old female with a history of Hashimoto thyroiditis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and a lower respiratory infection presented to the emergency department with new-onset progressive neurological symptoms. These included generalized tonic-clonic seizure and worsening respiratory status that required intubation and tracheostomy. Blood cultures returned positive for M. pneumoniae. We concluded this to be a mixed diagnosis case of anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (anti-GAD65), Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis (BBE), Hashimoto’s encephalopathy (HE), and Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS) concurrently in the setting of M. pneumoniae. Initial treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin showed minimal improvement; however, subsequent treatment with plasmapheresis proved to be beneficial for the patient. Over the course of the plasma exchange therapy (PLEX), the patient slowly became more alert, attentive, and verbal. She was able to answer simple questions and follow commands. Common trends of age, gender, presenting symptoms, associated antibodies, and sessions of PLEX in different AE diseases were identified through a literature review. Only 69.7% of the cases implemented PLEX or plasmapheresis. Currently, there is no standard protocol for the treatment of AE. Our case report aims to present a clinically complicated example of AE and to provide further evidence to support PLEX as an important therapeutic option.
Collapse
|
3
|
Song Y, Chen S, Gao J, Lu J, Xu W, Lin X, Chen J. Case Report: Coexistence of Anti-AMPA Receptor Encephalitis and Positive Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurol 2021; 12:673347. [PMID: 34276536 PMCID: PMC8283122 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.673347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti–α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor encephalitis is a rare autoimmune disease that is characterized by acute cognitive impairment, mental symptoms, and seizures. The high comorbidity rate between anti–AMPA receptor (AMPAR) encephalitis and other somatic diseases, such as malignancy, has revealed the possibility of potential copathogenesis. However, there have not yet been reports about anti-AMPAR encephalitis with concomitant cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers consistent with Alzheimer disease (AD). Herein, we present the case of an elderly male patient with autoimmune encephalitis (AE) presenting with anti–AMPA1-R and anti–AMPA2-R antibodies, as well as CSF biomarkers of AD. The patient was hospitalized with acute memory decline for 1 week. Anti–AMPA1-R and anti–AMPA2-R antibodies were positively detected in CSF, and the anti–AMPA2-R antibody was also present in the serum. Additionally, the biomarkers of AD were concurrently present in CSF (Aβ1−42 = 245.70 pg/mL, t-Tau = 894.48 pg/mL, p-Tau = 78.66 pg/mL). After administering a combined treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin and glucocorticoids, the patient recovered significantly, and his cognitive function achieved a sustained remission during 2 months' follow-up. This case raises the awareness of a possible interaction between AE and changes of CSF biomarkers. We speculated that the existence of AMPAR antibodies can induce changes of CSF, and other pathological alterations. This present report highlights that a potential relationship exists among AE and provides a warning when making the diagnosis of AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Song
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shanshan Chen
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ju Gao
- Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Lu
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenwen Xu
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xingjian Lin
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiu Chen
- Institute of Neuropsychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Brain Functional Imaging, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Endres D, Rauer S, Venhoff N, Süß P, Dersch R, Runge K, Fiebich BL, Nickel K, Matysik M, Maier S, Domschke K, Egger K, Prüss H, van Elst LT. Probable Autoimmune Depression in a Patient With Multiple Sclerosis and Antineuronal Antibodies. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:745. [PMID: 32922313 PMCID: PMC7457046 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a subgroup of patients with mood disorders, clear-cut organic disorders are responsible for depressive symptoms (e.g., autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis or systemic lupus erythematosus). In these cases, an organic affective disorder can be diagnosed. CASE PRESENTATION The authors present the case of a 59-year-old male patient who developed a severe depressive episode over approximately 6 months and was, therefore, admitted to the hospital. In retrospect, he reported that, at age 39, he suffered from self-limiting sensory disturbances and muscle weakness in both legs. The current magnetic resonance imaging of his brain showed several conspicuous FLAIR-hyperintense supratentorial white matter lesions compatible with chronic inflammatory brain disease. Imaging of the spinal axis revealed no clear spinal lesions. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analyses showed CSF-specific oligoclonal bands. Therefore, multiple sclerosis was diagnosed. Further CSF analyses, using tissue-based assays with indirect immunofluorescence on unfixed murine brain tissue, revealed a (peri-)nuclear signal and a strong neuritic signal of many neurons, especially on granule cells in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and olfactory bulb, as well as in the corpus callosum. Additionally, antinuclear antibody (ANA) titers of 1:12,800 and a lymphopenia were detected in blood tests. Further system clarification showed no suspicion of rheumatic or oncological disease. Anti-inflammatory treatment led to rapid and sustained improvement. CONCLUSION The present patient suffered from a probable "autoimmune depression" in the context of newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis with typical MRI and CSF pathologies, alongside mild concomitant latent systemic autoimmune process (with high-titer ANAs and lymphopenia) and unknown antineuronal antibodies. The case report illustrates that a depressive syndrome suggestive of primary idiopathic depressive disorder may be associated with an autoimmune brain involvement. The detection of such organic affective disorders is of high clinical relevance for affected patients, as it enables alternative and more causal treatment approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Endres
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Rauer
- Department of Neurology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nils Venhoff
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Süß
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rick Dersch
- Department of Neurology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kimon Runge
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Bernd L. Fiebich
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Nickel
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Matysik
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simon Maier
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Basics in Neuromodulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Karl Egger
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Harald Prüss
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Ludger Tebartz van Elst
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Endres D, Rauer S, Pschibul A, Süß P, Venhoff N, Runge K, Feige B, Denzel D, Nickel K, Schweizer T, Maier S, Egger K, Domschke K, Meyer PT, Prüss H, Tebartz van Elst L. Novel Antineuronal Autoantibodies With Somatodendritic Staining Pattern in a Patient With Autoimmune Psychosis. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:627. [PMID: 32848899 PMCID: PMC7424063 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune encephalitis, such as anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis, typically presenting with subacute onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms, can be detected by antineuronal autoantibodies or inflammatory changes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as well as pathological alterations in electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET). For patients with predominant psychotic symptoms, the term autoimmune psychosis was proposed. Here, the authors present the case of a patient with probable autoimmune psychosis associated with unknown antineuronal antibodies. CASE PRESENTATION A 18-year-old male patient with preexisting autism spectrum disorder developed a severe catatonic syndrome over 2.5 years. The MRI showed normal findings, the EEG depicted intermittent slowing, and the independent component analyses showed additional sharp spikes. However, FDG PET, the basic laboratory analysis and testing of the serum/CSF for well-characterized antineuronal autoantibodies were unsuspicious. The serum and CSF "tissue-based assay" using indirect immunofluorescence on unfixed murine brain tissue revealed antineuronal autoantibodies against an unknown epitope in granule cells in the cerebellum and to neurites of hippocampal interneurons with a somatodendritic staining pattern. The immunosuppressive treatment with high-dose glucocorticoids, plasma exchange, and rituximab led to partial improvement. CONCLUSION The patient probably suffered from autoantibody-associated autoimmune psychosis. The special features of the case were that the patient (1) presented with mostly inconspicuous basic diagnostics, except for the altered EEG in combination with the detection of CSF autoantibodies directed against a currently unknown epitope, (2) experienced an isolated and long-lasting psychotic course, and (3) had pre-existing autism spectrum disorder. The detection of a probable autoimmune pathophysiology in such cases seems important, as it offers new and more causal immunosuppressive treatment alternatives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Endres
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Rauer
- Department of Neurology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Pschibul
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Süß
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nils Venhoff
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kimon Runge
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Feige
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Denzel
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Nickel
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tina Schweizer
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simon Maier
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Karl Egger
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Center for Basics in Neuromodulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp T Meyer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Harald Prüss
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ludger Tebartz van Elst
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|