Association of rheumatological markers with neuronal antibodies, cerebrospinal fluid, electroencephalography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings in 224 patients with psychotic syndromes.

INTRODUCTION: Psychotic syndromes can have autoimmune-mediated causes in some patients. Thus, this retrospective work aims to investigate the role of rheumatological markers in the development of psychosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 224 patients with psychotic syndromes receiving a "rheumatological laboratory screening" (including C-reactive protein [CRP], immunofixation, complement factors, rheumatoid factor [RF], antiphospholipid antibodies [APAs], antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies [ANCAs], and antinuclear antibodies [ANAs]) were analyzed. A further diagnostic work-up included investigations of neuronal antibodies and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as well as electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. ANA testing was routinely performed in all patients using serum on human epithelioma-2 (Hep2) cells, and a subset of patients (N = 73) also underwent tissue-based assays from serum and CSF. The number of cases with autoimmune psychotic syndromes was descriptively collected, and ANA-positive and -negative patients were compared in detail. RESULTS: CRP was elevated in 9 % of patients, immunofixation identified alterations in 8 %, complement factor C3 was decreased in 14 %, RF was elevated in 1 %, APAs were elevated in 7 %, ANCAs were not clearly positive, and ANAs were positive in 19 % (extractable nuclear antigen [ENA] differentiation resulted in positive findings in 14 patients). From the 73 patient samples additionally investigated using tissue-based assays, there were 26 positive results for some kind of ANA (36 %), and overall using both methods, 54 patients (24 %) were considered positive for ANAs. A neuropsychiatric evaluation revealed a possible autoimmune psychotic syndrome in seven patients (3 %) and a probable autoimmune psychotic syndrome in two patients (1 %). ANA-positive patients were more frequently treated with antidepressants (p = 0.040) and had a higher number of somatic comorbidities (p < 0.001). In addition, (chronic) inflammatory MRI lesions (p = 0.008) and focal atrophies (p = 0.012) were found more frequently in ANA-positive than ANA-negative patients. DISCUSSION: Rheumatological screening led to suspicion of a possible or probable autoimmune psychotic syndrome in 4%. ANAs were associated with MRI pathologies. Therefore, rheumatological processes may contribute to the development of psychotic syndromes in rare cases.

Cerebrospinal fluid findings in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette syndrome, and PANDAS: A systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome (TS) are related mental disorders that share genetic, neurobiological, and phenomenological features. Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) is a neuropsychiatric autoimmune disorder with symptoms of OCD and/or TS associated with streptococcal infections. Therefore, PANDAS represents a strong link between OCD, TS, and autoimmunity. Notably, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analyses can provide insight into the central nervous processes in OCD, TS, and PANDAS. METHODS: A systematic literature search according to the PRISMA criteria was conducted to collect all CSF studies in patients with OCD, TS, and PANDAS. The total number of cases and the heterogeneity of the low number of studies were not sufficient for a meta-analysis to provide a high level of evidence. Nevertheless, meta-analytical statistics could be performed for glutamate, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (degradation product of serotonin), homovanillic acid (degradation product of dopamine), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (major metabolite of noradrenaline), and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in OCD. A risk-of-bias assessment was implemented using the Cochrane ROBINS-E tool. RESULTS: Meta-analytical testing identified elevated glutamate levels in the CSF of OCD patients compared with healthy controls, while no significant differences were found in other neurotransmitters or CRH. Single studies detected novel neuronal antibodies in OCD patients and elevated oligoclonal bands in TS patients. For TS and PANDAS groups, there was a dearth of data. Risk of bias assessment indicated a substantial risk of bias in most of the included studies. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review of available CSF data shows that too few studies are currently available for conclusions with good evidence. The existing data indicates glutamate alterations in OCD and possible immunological abnormalities in OCD and TS. More CSF studies avoiding sources of bias are needed.

Reduced contrast sensitivity, pattern electroretinogram ratio, and diminished a-wave amplitude in patients with major depressive disorder.

The electroretinogram (ERG), a non-invasive electrophysiological tool used in ophthalmology, is increasingly applied to investigate neural correlates of depression. The present study aimed to reconsider previous findings in major depressive disorder (MDD) reporting (1) a diminished contrast sensitivity and (2) a reduced patten ERG (PERG) amplitude ratio, and additionally, to assess (3) the photopic negative response (PhNR) from the flash ERG (fERG), with the RETeval® device, a more practical option for clinical routine use. We examined 30 patients with a MDD and 42 healthy controls (HC), assessing individual contrast sensitivity thresholds with an optotype-based contrast test. Moreover, we compared the PERG ratio, an established method for early glaucoma detection, between both groups. The handheld ERG device was used to measure amplitudes and peak times of the fERG components including a-wave, b-wave and PhNR in both MDD patients and HCs. MDD patients exhibited diminished contrast sensitivity together with a reduced PERG ratio, compared to HC. With the handheld ERG device, we found reduced a-wave amplitudes in MDD, whereas no significant differences were observed in the fERG b-wave or PhNR between patients and controls. The reduced contrast sensitivity and PERG ratio in MDD patients supports the hypothesis that depression is associated with altered visual processing. The findings underscore the PERG's potential as a possible objective marker for depression. The reduced a-wave amplitude recorded with the RETeval® system in MDD patients might open new avenues for using handheld ERG devices as simplified approaches for advancing depression research compared to the PERG.

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms in ACTG1-associated Baraitser-Winter cerebrofrontofacial syndrome.

Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may rarely occur in the context of genetic syndromes. So far, an association between obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) and ACTG1-associated Baraitser-Winter cerebrofrontofacial syndrome has not been described as yet. A thoroughly phenotyped patient with OCS and ACTG1-associated Baraitser-Winter cerebrofrontofacial syndrome is presented. The 25-year-old male patient was admitted to in-patient psychiatric care due to OCD. A whole-exome sequencing analysis was initiated as the patient also showed an autistic personality structure, below average intelligence measures, craniofacial dysmorphia signs, sensorineural hearing loss, and sinus cavernoma as well as subtle cardiac and ophthalmological alterations. The diagnosis of Baraitser-Winter cerebrofrontofacial syndrome type 2 was confirmed by the detection of a heterozygous likely pathogenic variant in the ACTG1 gene [c.1003C > T; p.(Arg335Cys), ACMG class 4]. The automated analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed changes in the orbitofrontal, parietal, and occipital cortex of both sides and in the right mesiotemporal cortex. Electroencephalography (EEG) revealed intermittent rhythmic delta activity in the occipital and right temporal areas. Right mesiotemporal MRI and EEG alterations could be caused by a small brain parenchymal defect with hemosiderin deposits after a cavernomectomy. This paradigmatic case provides evidence of syndromic OCS in ACTG1-associated Baraitser-Winter cerebrofrontofacial syndrome. The MRI findings are compatible with a dysfunction of the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical loops involved in OCD. If a common pathophysiology is confirmed in future studies, corresponding patients with Baraitser-Winter cerebrofrontofacial syndrome type 2 should be screened for OCS. The association may also contribute to a better understanding of OCD pathophysiology.

Reduced structural connectivity in the corpus callosum in patients with anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Previous diffusion tensor imaging studies reported a reduced fractional anisotropy in the body of the corpus callosum in patients with anorexia nervosa, which may indicate impaired white matter integrity in interhemispheric connections. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether structural connectivity is affected in patients with anorexia nervosa. METHOD: To this end, we compared the number of streamlines (a model of the white matter fibre tracts) and the total volume filled by these streamlines in different subsections of the corpus callosum in 33 women with and 33 without anorexia nervosa as well as in 20 recovered individuals. RESULTS: The volume of streamlines in the anterior and mid-anterior subsection of the corpus callosum was reduced in women with, but not in those who had recovered from anorexia nervosa. No differences in number of streamlines was detected in the corpus callosum between patients with anorexia nervosa, healthy controls and recovered patients. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations of the corpus callosum have been repeatedly reported in anorexia nervosa. Since the recovered group did not differ from the healthy control group, the reported alterations in acute patients appear to represent a state and not a trait marker.

Anti-MOG autoantibody-associated schizophreniform psychosis.

OBJECTIVES: Autoimmune mechanisms are related to disease development in a subgroup of patients with psychosis. The contribution of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is mainly unclear in this context. METHODS: Therefore, two patients with psychosis and anti-MOG antibodies - detected in fixed cell-based and live cell-based assays - are presented. RESULTS: Patient 1 suffered from late-onset psychosis with singular white matter lesions in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intermittent electroencephalography (EEG) slowing. Patient 2 suffered from a chronic paranoid-hallucinatory disorder with intermittent confusional states, non-specific white matter alterations on MRI, a disorganised alpha rhythm on EEG, and elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein. Both patients had anti-MOG antibody titres of 1 : 320 in serum (reference < 1 : 20). CONCLUSIONS: The arguments for and against a causal role for anti-MOG antibodies are discussed. The antibodies could be relevant, but due to moderate titres, they may have caused a rather 'subtle clinical picture' consisting of psychosis instead of 'classical' MOG encephalomyelitis.

Increased IL-8 concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with unipolar depression.

INTRODUCTION: Unipolar depression is a common and debilitating disorder. Immunological explanatory approaches have become increasingly important in recent years and can be studied particularly well in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Previous studies discerned alterations in interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 levels; however, findings regarding IL-8 were partly contradictory. The aim of the present study was to investigate the concentrations of different cytokines and chemokines, focusing on IL-8, in the CSF of patients with unipolar depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants included 40 patients with unipolar depression and 39 mentally healthy controls with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. CSF cytokine levels were measured using a magnetic bead multiplexing immunoassay. RESULTS: IL-8 levels in the CSF of the patient group with depression were significantly higher than those in the control group (Mean ± SD: 38.44 ± 6.26 pg/ml versus 21.40 ± 7.96 pg/ml; p < .001). LIMITATIONS: The significance of the results is limited by the retrospective design and methodological aspects. DISCUSSION: The main findings of this study were significantly higher concentrations of IL-8 in the CSF of patients with unipolar depression than in the control group. The detection of high CSF IL-8 levels in this study supports the idea that inflammatory processes might play a role in the pathophysiology of a subgroup of patients with depression.

New Cav1.2 Channelopathy with High-Functioning Autism, Affective Disorder, Severe Dental Enamel Defects, a Short QT Interval, and a Novel CACNA1C Loss-Of-Function Mutation.

Complex neuropsychiatric-cardiac syndromes can be genetically determined. For the first time, the authors present a syndromal form of short QT syndrome in a 34-year-old German male patient with extracardiac features with predominant psychiatric manifestation, namely a severe form of secondary high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD), along with affective and psychotic exacerbations, and severe dental enamel defects (with rapid wearing off his teeth) due to a heterozygous loss-of-function mutation in the CACNA1C gene (NM_000719.6: c.2399A > C; p.Lys800Thr). This mutation was found only once in control databases; the mutated lysine is located in the Cav1.2 calcium channel, is highly conserved during evolution, and is predicted to affect protein function by most pathogenicity prediction algorithms. L-type Cav1.2 calcium channels are widely expressed in the brain and heart. In the case presented, electrophysiological studies revealed a prominent reduction in the current amplitude without changes in the gating behavior of the Cav1.2 channel, most likely due to a trafficking defect. Due to the demonstrated loss of function, the p.Lys800Thr variant was finally classified as pathogenic (ACMG class 4 variant) and is likely to cause a newly described Cav1.2 channelopathy.

Therapy response in seronegative versus seropositive autoimmune encephalitis.

Background: Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) might be seropositive or seronegative, depending on whether antibodies targeting well-characterized neuronal antigens can be detected or not. Since data on treatment efficacy in seronegative cases, are scarce, the main rationale of this study was to evaluate immunotherapy response in seronegative AE in comparison to seropositive cases. Methods: An electronic database search retrospectively identified 150 AE patients, treated in our tertiary care university hospital between 2010 and 2020 with an AE. Therapy response was measured using both general impression and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results: Seventy-four AE patients (49.3%) were seronegative and 76 (50.7%) seropositive. These cases were followed up for a mean of 15.3 (standard deviation, SD, 24.9) and 24.3 months (SD 28.1), respectively. Both groups were largely similar on the basis of numerous clinical and paraclinical findings including cerebrospinal fluid, electroencephalography, magnetic resonance imaging, and 18-F-fluor-desoxy-glucose-positron-emmission-tomography pathologies. The majority of patients (80.4%) received at least one immunotherapy, which were glucocorticoids in most cases (76.4%). Therapy response on general impression was high with 49 (92.5%) of treated seronegative, and 57 (86.4%) of treated seropositive AE cases showing improvement following immunotherapies and not significantly different between both groups. Notably, the proportion of patients with a favorable neurological deficit (mRS 0-2) was twice as high during long-term follow-up as compared to baseline in both groups. Conclusion: Since both, patients with seronegative and seropositive AE, substantially benefitted from immunotherapies, these should be considered in AE patients irrespective of their antibody results.

Left insular cortical thinning differentiates the inattentive and combined subtype of adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND: Neuroimaging studies in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) demonstrated decreased global gray matter volume. In terms of surface parameters, most investigations focused on cortical thickness with a multi-center MEGA-analysis indicating cortical thinning in children, but not in adults with ADHD. In this single-scanner study, for the first time in adult ADHD, we additionally examined metrics beyond cortical thickness and surface area, namely sulcal depth and fractal dimension as measures of cortical alteration and complexity. Unlike most previous studies, ADHD subtypes were considered. METHODS: As part of the Comparison of Methylphenidate and Psychotherapy in Adult ADHD Study (COMPAS), surface parameters were analyzed in 131 adults with ADHD (66 combined, 60 inattentive and 5 hyperactive/impulsive subtype) and 95 healthy controls with the Computational Anatomy Toolbox (CAT12) using Statistical Parametric Mapping Software (SPM). RESULTS: Neither at the vertex- nor at the region of interest-level, the ADHD and control group differed significantly with regard to cortical thickness, gyrification index, sulcal depth or fractal dimension. Contrasting the combined and the inattentive subtype, patients of the combined subtype showed a significant thinning of the left anterior insular cortex. Thinner left pars opercularis cortical thickness was associated with symptoms of hyperactivity/restlessness. CONCLUSIONS: Resembling previous findings of a correlation of the left anterior insular gray matter volume with oppositional symptoms in adolescents with ADHD, we detected left anterior insular cortical thinning in the ADHD combined subtype. Left insular cortical thickness could represent a potential marker to distinguish the predominantly inattentive and the combined ADHD subtype in adulthood.

Altered cytokine levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of adult patients with autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND: Despite intensive research, the etiological causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain elusive. Immunological mechanisms have recently been studied more frequently in the context of maternal autoantibodies and infections, as well as altered cytokine profiles. For the detection of immunological processes in the central nervous system, analyses of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are advantageous due to its proximity to the brain. However, cytokine studies in the CSF of ASD patients are sparse. METHODS: CSF was collected from a patient sample of 24 adults (m = 16, f = 8, age: 30.3 ± 11.6 years) with ASD and compared to a previously published mentally healthy control sample of 39 neurological patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. A magnetic bead multiplexing immunoassay was used to measure multiple cytokines in CSF. RESULTS: Significantly decreased interferon-γ-induced protein-10 (p = 0.001) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (p = 0.041) levels as well as significantly higher interleukin-8 levels (p = 0.041) were detected in patients with ASD compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: The main finding of this study is an altered cytokine profile in adult patients with ASD compared to the control group. This may indicate immune dysregulation in a subgroup of adult ASD patients. Further studies in larger cohorts that examine a broader spectrum of chemokines and cytokines in general are needed to detect possible specific immune signatures in ASD.

Altered markers of mitochondrial function in adults with autism spectrum disorder.

Previous research suggests potential mitochondrial dysfunction and changes in fatty acid metabolism in a subgroup of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), indicated by higher lactate, pyruvate levels, and mitochondrial disorder prevalence. This study aimed to further investigate potential mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD by assessing blood metabolite levels linked to mitochondrial metabolism. Blood levels of creatine kinase (CK), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate, pyruvate, free and total carnitine, as well as acylcarnitines were obtained in 73 adults with ASD (47 males, 26 females) and compared with those of 71 neurotypical controls (NTC) (44 males, 27 females). Correlations between blood parameters and psychometric ASD symptom scores were also explored. Lower CK (pcorr = 0.045) levels were found exclusively in males with ASD compared to NTC, with no such variation in females. ALT and AST levels did not differ significantly between both groups. After correction for antipsychotic and antidepressant medication, CK remained significant. ASD participants had lower serum lactate levels (pcorr = 0.036) compared to NTC, but pyruvate and carnitine concentrations showed no significant difference. ASD subjects had significantly increased levels of certain acylcarnitines, with a decrease in tetradecadienoyl-carnitine (C14:2), and certain acylcarnitines correlated significantly with autistic symptom scores. We found reduced serum lactate levels in ASD, in contrast to previous studies suggesting elevated lactate or pyruvate. This difference may reflect the focus of our study on high-functioning adults with ASD, who are likely to have fewer secondary genetic conditions associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Our findings of significantly altered acylcarnitine levels in ASD support the hypothesis of altered fatty acid metabolism in a subset of ASD patients.

Increased cerebral lactate levels in adults with autism spectrum disorders compared to non-autistic controls: a magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

INTRODUCTION: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a heterogeneous group with varied phenotypes and etiologies. Identifying pathogenic subgroups could facilitate targeted treatments. One promising avenue is investigating energy metabolism, as mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in a subgroup of ASD. Lactate, an indicator of energy metabolic anomalies, may serve as a potential biomarker for this subgroup. This study aimed to examine cerebral lactate (Lac+) levels in high-functioning adults with ASD, hypothesizing elevated mean Lac+ concentrations in contrast to neurotypical controls (NTCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to study cerebral Lac+ in 71 adults with ASD and NTC, focusing on the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). After quality control, 64 ASD and 58 NTC participants remained. Lac+ levels two standard deviations above the mean of the control group were considered elevated. RESULTS: Mean PCC Lac+ levels were significantly higher in the ASD group than in the NTC group (p = 0.028; Cohen's d = 0.404), and 9.4% of the ASD group had elevated levels as compared to 0% of the NTCs (p = 0.029). No significant correlation was found between blood serum lactate levels and MRS-derived Lac+ levels. LIMITATIONS: A cautious interpretation of our results is warranted due to a p value of 0.028. In addition, a higher than anticipated proportion of data sets had to be excluded due to poor spectral quality. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the presence of elevated cerebral Lac+ levels in a subgroup of adults with ASD, suggesting the potential of lactate as a biomarker for mitochondrial dysfunction in a subgroup of ASD. The lower-than-expected prevalence (20% was expected) and moderate increase require further investigation to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and relationships with mitochondrial function.

Deep clinical phenotyping of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: an approach towards detection of organic causes and first results.

In the revised diagnostic classification systems ICD-11 and DSM-5, secondary, organic forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are implemented as specific nosological entities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to clarify whether a comprehensive screening approach, such as the Freiburg-Diagnostic-Protocol for patients with OCD (FDP-OCD), is beneficial for detecting organic OCD forms. The FDP-OCD includes advanced laboratory tests, an expanded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol, and electroencephalography (EEG) investigations as well as automated MRI and EEG analyses. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, and genetic analysis were added for patients with suspected organic OCD. The diagnostic findings of the first 61 consecutive OCD inpatients (32 female and 29 male; mean age: 32.7 ± 12.05 years) analyzed using our protocol were investigated. A probable organic cause was assumed in five patients (8%), which included three patients with autoimmune OCD (one patient with neurolupus and two with specific novel neuronal antibodies in CSF) and two patients with newly diagnosed genetic syndromes (both with matching MRI alterations). In another five patients (8%), possible organic OCD was detected (three autoimmune cases and two genetic cases). Immunological serum abnormalities were identified in the entire patient group, particularly with high rates of decreased "neurovitamin" levels (suboptimal vitamin D in 75% and folic acid in 21%) and increased streptococcal (in 46%) and antinuclear antibodies (ANAs; in 36%). In summary, the FDP-OCD screening led to the detection of probable or possible organic OCD forms in 16% of the patients with mostly autoimmune forms of OCD. The frequent presence of systemic autoantibodies such as ANAs further support the possible influence of autoimmune processes in subgroups of patients with OCD. Further research is needed to identify the prevalence of organic OCD forms and its treatment options.

Steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis presenting as cortisone sensible psychosis with reversible leukoencephalopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT) is a frequently discussed neuropsychiatric syndrome with elevated thyroid antibodies in the context of various clinical neuropsychiatric phenotypes. MRI abnormalities are usually nonspecific and treatment can be complex. CASE STUDY: We present a case of a woman in her sixties with SREAT whose psychosis kept worsening under cortisone tapering. After three years with cortisone side effects, therapy was changed to plasmapheresis and rituximab treatment with an excellent initial response, subacute unexplained deterioration with extensive leukoencephalopathy on MRI shortly after, and full recovery with regression of leukoencephalopathy afterwards. DISCUSSION: SREAT varies in clinical and diagnostic presentation. Its precise pathophysiology is unknown, as are the best treatment protocols. The case illustrates that some patients with SREAT syndrome might end up in constellations, in which it proves difficult to wean off steroid treatment and illustrates treatment alternatives such as plasmapheresis and/or rituximab. In addition, it highlights leukoencephalopathy as possible MRI finding in the context of SREAT. Further research is necessary to fully comprehend the (potentially different) pathomechanisms and courses of SREAT.