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Sarkis RA, Coffey MJ, Cooper JJ, Hassan I, Lennox B. Anti- N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis: A Review of Psychiatric Phenotypes and Management Considerations: A Report of the American Neuropsychiatric Association Committee on Research. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2019; 31:137-142. [PMID: 30561283 DOI: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.18010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by prominent neuropsychiatric symptoms. Given the nature of its pathophysiology, psychiatrists tend to be one of the first clinicians encountering patients with the disease. METHODS In the present review of patients described in the literature with psychiatric symptoms, the authors aimed to characterize the psychiatric symptoms of the disease and its management in adults and adolescents as well as children (≤12 years old). A total of 544 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. RESULTS The authors found that 77% of patients with NMDAR encephalitis presented initially with psychiatric symptoms. These were mostly agitation (59%) and psychotic symptoms (in 54%, especially disorganized behavior and visual-auditory hallucinations), with agitation even more commonly being the presenting symptom in children (66%). Where psychotic symptoms were detailed, visual (64%) and auditory (59%) hallucinations were the most common, as well as persecutory delusions (73%). However, delusions were not clearly characterized in most cases. Catatonia was described in 42% of adult patients and 35% of children. Of the patients with documented exposure to antipsychotics, 33% were suspected to have an adverse drug reaction (notably, neuroleptic malignant syndrome in 22% of the cases). CONCLUSIONS On the basis of these findings, it is important to consider anti-NMDAR encephalitis in the differential diagnosis of patients with an acute onset psychosis, especially in association with agitation, catatonia, or adverse response to antipsychotics. Furthermore, it is important to use antipsychotics with caution in patients with suspected or confirmed anti-NMDAR encephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rani A Sarkis
- From the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Sarkis); the Menninger Clinic and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex. (Coffey); the Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago (Cooper); the British Columbia Neuropsychiatry Program and Vancouver General Hospital Epilepsy Program, University of British Columbia (Hassan); and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom (Lennox)
| | - M Justin Coffey
- From the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Sarkis); the Menninger Clinic and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex. (Coffey); the Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago (Cooper); the British Columbia Neuropsychiatry Program and Vancouver General Hospital Epilepsy Program, University of British Columbia (Hassan); and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom (Lennox)
| | - Joseph J Cooper
- From the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Sarkis); the Menninger Clinic and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex. (Coffey); the Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago (Cooper); the British Columbia Neuropsychiatry Program and Vancouver General Hospital Epilepsy Program, University of British Columbia (Hassan); and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom (Lennox)
| | - Islam Hassan
- From the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Sarkis); the Menninger Clinic and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex. (Coffey); the Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago (Cooper); the British Columbia Neuropsychiatry Program and Vancouver General Hospital Epilepsy Program, University of British Columbia (Hassan); and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom (Lennox)
| | - Belinda Lennox
- From the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston (Sarkis); the Menninger Clinic and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex. (Coffey); the Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago (Cooper); the British Columbia Neuropsychiatry Program and Vancouver General Hospital Epilepsy Program, University of British Columbia (Hassan); and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom (Lennox)
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102
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Giné Servén E, Boix Quintana E, Guanyabens Buscà N, Casado Ruiz V, Torres Rivas C, Niubo Gurgui M, Dalmau J, Palma C. Considerations of psychotic symptomatology in anti-NMDA encephalitis: Similarity to cycloid psychosis. Clin Case Rep 2019; 7:2456-2461. [PMID: 31893079 PMCID: PMC6935669 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.2522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Most patients with anti-NMDA receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis present with acute psychosis which is difficult to differentiate from psychotic episodes related to a primarily psychiatric disease. A precise description of the psychiatric phenotype of this disease would greatly facilitate the early diagnosis of these patients. We provide here a detailed description of three of these patients and the similarity of the clinical features with cycloid psychosis. All three patients met Perris and Brockington's criteria for cycloid psychosis in the initial phase of the autoimmune process, including among other an acute and polysymptomatic onset, polymorphous psychotic symptomatology, mood swings, and changes in psychomotricity. In addition, none of the patients had experienced an extended psychiatric prodromal phase. External stress factors preceded symptom onset in the three patients, who also showed common base personality traits and intolerance to a range of antipsychotic treatments. Complementary studies disclosed that the three patients had ovarian teratoma as well as abnormal EEG, and CSF antibodies against NMDAR. Patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis may present with clinical features that resemble cycloid psychosis. In addition, our patients did not have prodromal history of psychiatric symptoms and showed intolerance to antipsychotic medication, which all should raise concern for anti-NMDAR encephalitis, prompting CSF antibody testing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Josep Dalmau
- Hospital Clinic‐IDIBAPSUniversitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- University of Pennsylvania School of MedicinePhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Carol Palma
- Hospital de MataróConsorci Sanitari del MaresmeMataróSpain
- FPCEE BlanquernaUniversitat Ramon‐LlullBarcelonaSpain
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103
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Behrman S, Lennox B. Autoimmune encephalitis in the elderly: who to test and what to test for. EVIDENCE-BASED MENTAL HEALTH 2019; 22:172-176. [PMID: 31537612 PMCID: PMC10231602 DOI: 10.1136/ebmental-2019-300110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The awareness and understanding of autoimmune encephalitis are blossoming in neurology, and patients are being diagnosed and successfully treated with immunotherapy. The diverse symptomatology associated with autoimmune encephalitis means that patients may present initially to mental health services, which are, as yet, less well equipped to identify and investigate such phenomena. Older adult mental health services are used to managing complexity, but the range of pathologies presenting with unusual symptoms that may mimic autoimmune encephalitis is wide and there is no clear guidance as to when and how to investigate for possible autoimmune encephalitis. This paper examines the evidence supporting investigation and management strategies for patients with possible autoimmune encephalitis presenting to older adult psychiatrists.
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104
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Alexopoulos H, Dalakas MC. The immunobiology of autoimmune encephalitides. J Autoimmun 2019; 104:102339. [PMID: 31611142 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2019.102339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune encephalitides, with an estimated incidence of 1.5 per million population per year, although described only 15 years ago, have already had a remarkable impact in neurology and paved the field to autoimmune neuropsychiatry. Many patients traditionally presented with aberrant behavior, especially of acute or subacute onset, and treated with anti-psychotic therapies, turn out to have a CNS autoimmune disease with pathogenic autoantibodies against synaptic antigens responding to immunotherapies. The review describes the clinical spectrum of these disorders, and the pathogenetic role of key autoantibodies directed against: a) cell surface synaptic antigens and receptors, including NMDAR, GABAa, GABAb, AMPA and glycine receptors; b) channels such as AQP4 water-permeable channel or voltage-gated potassium channels; c) proteins that stabilize voltage-gated potassium channel complex into the membrane, like the LGI1 and CASPR2; and d) enzymes that catalyze the formation of neurotransmitters such as Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD). These antibodies, effectively target excitatory or inhibitory synapses in the limbic system, basal ganglia or brainstem altering synaptic function and resulting in uncontrolled neurological excitability disorder clinically manifested with psychosis, agitation, behavioral alterations, depression, sleep disturbances, seizure-like phenomena, movement disorders such as ataxia, chorea and dystonia, memory changes or coma. Some of the identified triggering factors include: viruses, especially herpes simplex, accounting for the majority of relapses occurring after viral encephalitis, which respond to immunotherapy rather than antiviral agents; tumors especially teratoma, SCLC and thymomas; and biological cancer therapies (immune-check-point inhibitors). As anti-synaptic antibodies persist after viral infections or tumor removal, augmentation of autoreactive B cells which release autoantigens to draining lymph nodes, molecular mimicry and infection-induced bystander immune activation products play a role in autoimmunization process or perpetuating autoimmune neuroinflammation. The review stresses the importance of early detection, clinical recognition, proper antibody testing and early therapy initiation as these disorders, regardless of a known or not trigger, are potentially treatable responding to systemic immunotherapy with intravenous steroids, IVIg, rituximab or even bortezomid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Alexopoulos
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Marinos C Dalakas
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA.
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105
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Fominykh V, Brylev L, Gaskin V, Luzin R, Yakovlev A, Komoltsev I, Belousova I, Rosliakova A, Guekht A, Gulyaeva N. Neuronal damage and neuroinflammation markers in patients with autoimmune encephalitis and multiple sclerosis. Metab Brain Dis 2019; 34:1473-1485. [PMID: 31267347 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-019-00452-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) are a diagnostic challenge to clinicians. Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is an important diagnostic consideration in patients with CNS inflammatory disorders; despite of a wide range of neuropsychiatric symptoms it should be diagnosed as soon as possible and the patient transferred to the neurologist. We studied a group of AE patients (n = 24) as compared to multiple sclerosis (MS, n = 61) and control (n = 19) groups. Detailed clinical pictures of patients are presented. We focused on relevant cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests like protein levels, cytosis and oligoclonal bands, neuroinflammation indices (interleukin-6, soluble receptor of IL-6, neopterin, anti-ribosomal proteins antibodies) and markers of neurodegeneration (phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain, pNfh). Elevated neopterin level was found in AE group as compared to the MS and control groups, while protein and pNfh were increased in both AE and MS groups. In the MS group, the cytosis and soluble receptor of IL-6 were higher as compared to the control group. Anti-ribosomal proteins antibodies were increased in a single patient with AE. High levels of protein were predictive of mortality in AE patients, while IL-6 and pNfh were elevated in severe AE patients. AE patients with paraneoplastic etiology demonstrated oligoclonal bands positivity. Taken together, our results suggest the neopterin as an additional marker of autoimmune brain inflammation. Though higher levels of protein, IL-6 and pNfh were found in patients with severe disease progression and death, prognostic values of these markers should be validated in larger cohorts of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Fominykh
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Moscow, Russia.
- Bujanov Moscow City Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia.
| | - L Brylev
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Moscow, Russia
- Bujanov Moscow City Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of the Healthcare Department of Moscow, Moscow, Russia
| | - V Gaskin
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of the Healthcare Department of Moscow, Moscow, Russia
| | - R Luzin
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of the Healthcare Department of Moscow, Moscow, Russia
| | - A Yakovlev
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - I Komoltsev
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Moscow, Russia
- Bujanov Moscow City Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of the Healthcare Department of Moscow, Moscow, Russia
| | - I Belousova
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of the Healthcare Department of Moscow, Moscow, Russia
| | - A Rosliakova
- Bujanov Moscow City Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia
- Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Russia
| | - A Guekht
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of the Healthcare Department of Moscow, Moscow, Russia
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - N Gulyaeva
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of the Healthcare Department of Moscow, Moscow, Russia
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106
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Endres D, Bechter K, Prüss H, Hasan A, Steiner J, Leypoldt F, Tebartz van Elst L. [Autoantibody-associated schizophreniform psychoses: clinical symptomatology]. DER NERVENARZT 2019; 90:547-563. [PMID: 30968197 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-019-0700-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
According to present concepts, primary psychotic disorders in the schizophrenia spectrum are probably caused by a complex interaction between multigenetic vulnerability and causally relevant environmental factors. In contrast, secondary psychotic disorders are the result of likely identifiable organic factors either in terms of a first causation (etiology) or a secondary cause (pathogenesis). In this context, autoantibody(ab)-associated autoimmune encephalitis (AE) plays an increasingly important role. Within the group of ab-associated AE with neuropsychiatric symptoms, anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is the most prevalent one. Psychopathologically, polymorphic psychotic symptoms are often observed at onset of AE; however, over the course of this condition or even initially other neuropsychiatric phenomena are also common. The ill-defined entity of a steroid-responsive encephalopathy with thyroid antibodies (Hashimoto's encephalitis) is a heterogeneous syndrome that may also comprise isolated psychotic disorders presenting as classical schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Endres
- Sektion für experimentelle Neuropsychiatrie, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hauptstr. 5, 79104, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Karl Bechter
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie II, Bezirkskrankenhaus Günzburg, Universität Ulm, Günzburg, Deutschland
| | - Harald Prüss
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland.,Experimentelle Neurologie und Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Alkomiet Hasan
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU, München, Deutschland
| | - Johann Steiner
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Deutschland
| | - Frank Leypoldt
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Klinik, Universitätsklinik Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Deutschland
| | - Ludger Tebartz van Elst
- Sektion für experimentelle Neuropsychiatrie, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hauptstr. 5, 79104, Freiburg, Deutschland.
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107
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Are We Missing Subtle Forms of Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Encephalitis With the Current Diagnostic Approach? A Case Report. J Psychiatr Pract 2019; 25:383-390. [PMID: 31505524 DOI: 10.1097/pra.0000000000000412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Encephalitis related to antibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) is a recently described clinical entity in which IgG autoantibodies against the NR1 subunit of the NMDAr lead to the appearance of complex neuropsychiatric symptoms. As psychiatric symptoms predominate in early stages, anti-NMDAr encephalitis is frequently mistaken as a primary psychiatric disorder which delays treatment and has serious consequences for patients. This report presents the case of a 24-year-old woman with a subacute onset of psychotic and catatonic symptoms in whom current diagnostic criteria for probable anti-NMDAr encephalitis were not fulfilled. On the basis of the red flags that have been proposed to raise suspicion of anti-NMDAr encephalitis, a study of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was requested and demonstrated bilateral occipital hypometabolism consistent with clinical suspicion of anti-NMDAr encephalitis. Once the appropriate treatment was established, the patient recovered completely. This case supports the need to maintain clinical suspicion of anti-NMDAr encephalitis, even when conventional diagnostic tests have been normal. Psychiatrists should be familiar with this entity to promote timely diagnosis and prompt treatment.
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108
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Commentary on "Are We Missing Subtle Forms of Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Encephalitis With the Current Diagnostic Approach? A Case Report". J Psychiatr Pract 2019; 25:383-390. [PMID: 31505525 DOI: 10.1097/pra.0000000000000413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Encephalitis related to antibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) is a recently described clinical entity in which IgG autoantibodies against the NR1 subunit of the NMDAr lead to the appearance of complex neuropsychiatric symptoms. As psychiatric symptoms predominate in early stages, anti-NMDAr encephalitis is frequently mistaken as a primary psychiatric disorder which delays treatment and has serious consequences for patients. This report presents the case of a 24-year-old woman with a subacute onset of psychotic and catatonic symptoms in whom current diagnostic criteria for probable anti-NMDAr encephalitis were not fulfilled. On the basis of the red flags that have been proposed to raise suspicion of anti-NMDAr encephalitis, a study of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was requested and demonstrated bilateral occipital hypometabolism consistent with clinical suspicion of anti-NMDAr encephalitis. Once the appropriate treatment was established, the patient recovered completely. This case supports the need to maintain clinical suspicion of anti-NMDAr encephalitis, even when conventional diagnostic tests have been normal. Psychiatrists should be familiar with this entity to promote timely diagnosis and prompt treatment.
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109
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Ford B, McDonald A, Srinivasan S. Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: a case study and illness overview. Drugs Context 2019; 8:212589. [PMID: 31516531 PMCID: PMC6726359 DOI: 10.7573/dic.212589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is among one of the most common autoimmune encephalitides. However, variations in clinical presentation and nonsequential multiphasic course often lead to delays in diagnosis. The mild encephalitis (ME) hypothesis suggests a pathogenetic mechanism of low-level neuroinflammation sharing symptom overlap between anti-NMDAR encephalitis and other psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. Clinical symptoms of anti-NMDAR encephalitis may mimic schizophrenia and psychotic spectrum disorders or substance-induced psychosis. Although initially described in association with ovarian teratomas in women, anti-NMDAR encephalitis has been reported in individuals without paraneoplastic association, as well as in males. It can affect all age groups but is usually lower in prevalence in individuals greater than 50 years old, and it affects females more than males. Clinical evaluation is supported by laboratory workup, which includes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) assays. The latter often reveals lymphocytic pleocytosis or oligoclonal bands with normal to elevated CSF protein. CSF testing for anti-NMDAR antibodies facilitates diagnostic confirmation. Serum anti-NMDAR antibody assays are not as sensitive as CSF assays. Management includes symptomatic treatment and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Ford
- PGY-4 Resident Psychiatrist, Palmetto Health-University of South Carolina Psychiatry Residency Program, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Alex McDonald
- Consult-Liaison Psychiatrist, Palmetto Health-University of South Carolina Medical Group, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Shilpa Srinivasan
- Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science, Palmetto Health-University of South Carolina Medical Group, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
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110
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Goutte J, Killian M, Antoine JC, Massoubre C, Fakra E, Cathébras P. [First-episode psychosis as primary manifestation of medical disease: An update]. Rev Med Interne 2019; 40:742-749. [PMID: 31421899 DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2019.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A huge variety of medical diseases may potentially present with isolated psychotic symptoms, and disease-specific treatment or management is available for a significant part of them. The initial medical work-up of a first-episode psychosis (FEP) is of crucial importance. This literature review aimed to identify medical conditions potentially revealed by FEP, to list the warning signs of secondary psychosis, and to discuss a screening strategy. Underlying organic conditions may be drugs and medications, neurologic diseases, infections, inflammatory and/or autoimmune pathologies, and metabolic disorders whether of hereditary origin. Each patient presenting with a first-episode psychosis should be evaluated with a precise anamnesis, a careful clinical examination, and routine laboratory tests. Brain imaging and tests (depending on the context) should be performed in the presence of atypical clinical features or "red flags", leading to suspect an organic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Goutte
- Service de médecine interne, CHU de Saint-Étienne, 42055 Saint-Étienne Cedex 2, France.
| | - M Killian
- Service de médecine interne, CHU de Saint-Étienne, 42055 Saint-Étienne Cedex 2, France.
| | - J C Antoine
- Service de neurologie, CHU de Saint-Étienne, 42055 Saint-Étienne Cedex 2, France.
| | - C Massoubre
- Service de psychiatrie, CHU de Saint-Étienne, 42055 Saint-Étienne Cedex 2, France.
| | - E Fakra
- Service de psychiatrie, CHU de Saint-Étienne, 42055 Saint-Étienne Cedex 2, France.
| | - P Cathébras
- Service de médecine interne, CHU de Saint-Étienne, 42055 Saint-Étienne Cedex 2, France.
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111
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Steiner J, Prüß H, Köhler S, Hasan A, Falkai P. [Autoimmune encephalitis with psychotic symptoms : Diagnostics, warning signs and practical approach]. DER NERVENARZT 2019. [PMID: 29523913 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-018-0499-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Despite intensive research, a precise cause of schizophrenic and schizoaffective disorders has not yet been identified. Therefore, psychiatric diagnoses are still made based on clinical ICD-10/DSM‑5 criteria and not on any objective markers; however, various causes or pathophysiological processes may ultimately lead to similar symptoms. An important task for the future of psychiatry is to identify disease subtypes with a distinct pathophysiology to develop more specific and causally acting therapies. A new diagnostic entity has become established in clinical neurology and psychiatry in recent years: autoimmune encephalitis with psychotic symptoms caused by specific antineuronal antibodies has been identified as a rare but potentially treatable cause of psychotic disorders; however, these inflammatory brain diseases are not reliably detected by routine psychiatric diagnostics. Therefore, this qualitative review is intended to provide structured support for clinical practice, which, guided by clinical warning signals, enables a rapid and reliable diagnosis as well as the initiation of immunotherapy. In the case of psychiatric symptoms, the additional onset of focal neurological signs, disturbances of consciousness and orientation, autonomic instability or epileptic seizures and electroencephalograph (EEG) abnormalities should always be followed by a more specific cerebrospinal fluid analysis with determination of antineuronal autoantibodies. Although the scientific evidence indicates that only a small subgroup of patients is affected, the swift and correct diagnosis is of high therapeutic and prognostic relevance for the affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Steiner
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Deutschland. .,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Deutschland.
| | - H Prüß
- Experimentelle Neurologie und Klinik für Neurologie, Campus Mitte, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland.,Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - S Köhler
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Campus Mitte, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - A Hasan
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Ludwig Maximilians-Universität München, München, Deutschland
| | - P Falkai
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Ludwig Maximilians-Universität München, München, Deutschland
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112
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Rogers JP, Pollak TA, Blackman G, David AS. Catatonia and the immune system: a review. Lancet Psychiatry 2019; 6:620-630. [PMID: 31196793 PMCID: PMC7185541 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(19)30190-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Catatonia is a psychomotor disorder featuring stupor, posturing, and echophenomena. This Series paper examines the evidence for immune dysregulation in catatonia. Activation of the innate immune system is associated with mutism, withdrawal, and psychomotor retardation, which constitute the neurovegetative features of catatonia. Evidence is sparse and conflicting for acute-phase activation in catatonia, and whether this feature is secondary to immobility is unclear. Various viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections have been associated with catatonia, but it is primarily linked to CNS infections. The most common cause of autoimmune catatonia is N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis, which can account for the full spectrum of catatonic features. Autoimmunity appears to cause catatonia less by systemic inflammation than by the downstream effects of specific actions on extracellular antigens. The specific association with NMDAR encephalitis supports a hypothesis of glutamatergic hypofunction in catatonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P Rogers
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; South London and Maudsley National Health Service Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, UK.
| | - Thomas A Pollak
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; South London and Maudsley National Health Service Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, UK
| | - Graham Blackman
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; South London and Maudsley National Health Service Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, UK
| | - Anthony S David
- Institute of Mental Health, University College London, London, UK
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113
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Tebartz van Elst L, Bechter K, Prüss H, Hasan A, Steiner J, Leypoldt F, Endres D. Autoantikörper-assoziierte schizophreniforme Psychosen: Pathophysiologie, Diagnostik und Therapie. DER NERVENARZT 2019; 90:745-761. [DOI: 10.1007/s00115-019-0735-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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114
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Treidl L, Izadi S, Rießland-Seifert A. [Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis, an essential differential diagnosis in psychiatry: a case report.]. NEUROPSYCHIATRIE : KLINIK, DIAGNOSTIK, THERAPIE UND REHABILITATION : ORGAN DER GESELLSCHAFT OSTERREICHISCHER NERVENARZTE UND PSYCHIATER 2019; 33:107-110. [PMID: 30656512 DOI: 10.1007/s40211-018-0296-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis (anti-NMDAR encephalitis) is a rare and recently discovered disease. Affected patients are initially often referred to psychiatric departments due to prominent neuropsychiatric symptoms.We present the course of the illness of an 18-year-old female patient, who was primarily and for the first time admitted to the 1. Psychiatric Department of the Otto Wagner Hospital Vienna due to a psychotic disorder. With fluctuating clinical course, further diagnostics were performed and the patient was diagnosed with anti-NMDAR encephalitis.Anti-NMDAR encephalitis should especially be considered in young women, who suffer from a first-onset psychotic disorder in combination with neurological and vegetative symptoms.If suspected lumbar puncture is indicated. An interdisciplinary approach is indispensable for this disease and can be a challenge for psychiatrists in charge.Psychiatrists should consider encephalitis, autoimmune encephalitis in particular, as differential diagnosis in clinical practice and get more familiar with these complex conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Treidl
- 1. Psychiatrische Abteilung mit Zentrum für Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Sozialmedizinisches Zentrum Baumgartner Höhe, Otto Wagner Spital, Baumgartner Höhe 1, 1140, Wien, Österreich.
| | - Shahriar Izadi
- 1. Psychiatrische Abteilung mit Zentrum für Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Sozialmedizinisches Zentrum Baumgartner Höhe, Otto Wagner Spital, Baumgartner Höhe 1, 1140, Wien, Österreich
| | - Angelika Rießland-Seifert
- 1. Psychiatrische Abteilung mit Zentrum für Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Sozialmedizinisches Zentrum Baumgartner Höhe, Otto Wagner Spital, Baumgartner Höhe 1, 1140, Wien, Österreich
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115
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Finke C. A transdiagnostic pattern of psychiatric symptoms in autoimmune encephalitis. Lancet Psychiatry 2019; 6:191-193. [PMID: 30765327 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(19)30038-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Finke
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin 10115, Germany.
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116
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Al-Diwani A, Handel A, Townsend L, Pollak T, Leite MI, Harrison PJ, Lennox BR, Okai D, Manohar SG, Irani SR. The psychopathology of NMDAR-antibody encephalitis in adults: a systematic review and phenotypic analysis of individual patient data. Lancet Psychiatry 2019; 6:235-246. [PMID: 30765329 PMCID: PMC6384244 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(19)30001-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early immunotherapy administration improves outcomes in patients with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-antibody encephalitis. As most patients with NMDAR-antibody encephalitis present to psychiatrists, the psychopathology of NMDAR-antibody encephalitis needs to be clearly defined to encourage accurate clinical identification and prompt treatment. METHODS For this systematic review, we searched PubMed for all studies published in English between Jan 1, 2005, and Oct 7, 2017, to identify individually reported adult patients (≥18 years) who satisfied consensus criteria for definite NMDAR-antibody encephalitis. After generating a list of 50 fine-grained, lower-level features, we extracted psychopathological data in addition to demographic and aetiological data. The lower-level features were later ordered within higher-level categories. As a means of quality control, we filtered the data according to proxy markers of psychiatric involvement in their description. Subsequently, we compared lower-level features from individual patient data with operationalised psychiatric syndromes using a constrained combination approach and principal component analysis, and did a network analysis to explore the inter-relationships between multiple lower-level features. The review protocol was prospectively registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42017068981. FINDINGS Of 1096 records identified in PubMed, 333 satisfied inclusion criteria and described 1100 patients in total with NMDAR-antibody encephalitis. The psychopathology of 505 (46%) patients with reported psychiatric symptoms was described in more detailed terms than only psychiatric or behavioural. 464 (91%) of the 505 patients were from papers in which patient data were reported individually. The remainder of the analyses focused exclusively on these 464 patients. Median age was 27 years (IQR 22-34), 368 (79%) of 464 patients were female and in 147 (32%), NMDAR-antibody encephalitis was associated with ovarian teratoma. The five higher-level categories into which the 464 patients most frequently grouped were behaviour (316 [68%]), psychosis (310 [67%]), mood (219 [47%]), catatonia (137 [30%]), and sleep disturbance (97 [21%]). The overall pattern of lower-level features was statistically stable across subgroups classified by age, sex, pregnancy association, presence of ovarian teratoma, prior herpes simplex virus encephalitis, and isolated psychiatric presentations (two-way ANOVA p=0·6-0·9). Constrained combination and principal component analyses found that mixtures of mood and psychosis syndromes fit each patient better than any single diagnosis alone, particularly for the patients in the psychiatric-described subgroup (mean ΔAkaike information criterion -0·04 in non-psychiatric-described subgroup vs 0·61 in psychiatric-described subgroup). The overlapping nature of the higher-level features was also enriched upon analysis of the psychiatric-described data (221 [67%] of 329 overlaps in non-psychiatric-described subgroup vs 96 [81%] of 118 overlaps in psychiatric-described subgroup, p=0·0052). Network analysis confirmed that the features were closely related and consistent between individual patients; the psychiatric-described subgroup had a markedly high and narrow range of closeness centralities (92% above 0·93 in psychiatric-described subgroup vs 51% above 0·93 in the non-psychiatric group). INTERPRETATION The distinctive aspect of NMDAR-antibody encephalitis psychopathology is complexity; core aspects of mood and psychotic disorders consistently coexist within individual patients. Alongside the predominant young female demographic, these psychopathological features could help psychiatrists identify patients who would benefit from cerebrospinal fluid testing and immunotherapies. Well-controlled prospective studies with bespoke inventories are needed to advance this clinically grounded approach. FUNDING Wellcome Trust, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, British Medical Association Foundation for Medical Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Al-Diwani
- Oxford Autoimmune Neurology Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Handel
- Oxford Autoimmune Neurology Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Leigh Townsend
- Oxford Autoimmune Neurology Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Pollak
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's Health Partners, London, UK
| | - M Isabel Leite
- Oxford Autoimmune Neurology Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul J Harrison
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Belinda R Lennox
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - David Okai
- Department of Psychological Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Sanjay G Manohar
- Oxford Autoimmune Neurology Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Sarosh R Irani
- Oxford Autoimmune Neurology Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.
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117
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[Poison in the filter: implementing detoxification procedures in schizophrenia]. DER NERVENARZT 2019; 90:1135-1143. [PMID: 30617571 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-018-0665-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In the history of psychiatry a variety of "blood detoxification" procedures have repeatedly been used to treat schizophrenic disorders under the assumption of autointoxication. In the 1970s this led to the use of dialysis. In addition to the historical classification of this therapeutic approach, particularly the protagonists active in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) as well as the dimension of research and science policy are highlighted. Despite the relatively low success rate of the treatment overall, the question of which patients actually had a positive response to the treatment arises. This seemed to primarily be the case for young patients in whom acute catatonic symptoms occurred. From today's perspective there are striking indications that the patients who were successfully treated at that time could belong to the group of autoimmune encephalitis, as they are known today. Autoimmune encephalitis and specifically anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis (NMDA-R) demonstrate a characteristic clinical progression with the frequent occurrence of psychiatric symptoms, which also include catatonic symptoms. These can occur in a variety of mental and neurological disorders but are often associated with schizophrenia. To primarily reduce the risk of diagnostic errors, they should initially be considered as non-specific from a diagnostic perspective. In the future, correlating immunological and psychopathological changes may help to delineate groups for whom specific therapies are particularly suitable.
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118
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Zilles D. Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for Catatonia: A Hypothesis. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:86. [PMID: 30873050 PMCID: PMC6402369 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Catatonia is a syndrome comprising psychomotor, behavioral, and autonomous symptoms which may occur in the context of severe schizophrenic, affective, and other mental disorders or medical conditions. Treatment options include high dose benzodiazepines (lorazepam) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) with some evidence for the effectiveness of glutamate antagonists. However, due to a lack of randomized controlled studies in this severely ill population, evidence base is weak. Methods: On occasion of the case of a patient with treatment resistant catatonia in schizoaffective disorder, we developed the hypothesis of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) being a potential therapy for treatment resistant catatonia. Results: Based on a selective literature search, we found a remarkable overlap of the pathophysiology of catatonia on the one hand and the putative mechanisms of action of VNS on the other hand in several domains: functional brain imaging, involved neurotransmitter systems, clinical, and theoretical. We thus decided to use VNS as a single subject clinical trial. During the 1-year-follow-up, we observed a fluctuating, but ultimately marked improvement of both catatonic symptoms and general psychopathology. Conclusions: We assume there is a sufficient hypothetical corroboration for the potential effectiveness of VNS as a long-term treatment in predominantly catatonic syndromes. This hypothesis could be tested in proof-of-concept clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Zilles
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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119
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Herbsleb M, Keller-Varady K, Wobrock T, Hasan A, Schmitt A, Falkai P, Gabriel HHW, Bär KJ, Malchow B. The Influence of Continuous Exercising on Chronotropic Incompetence in Multi-Episode Schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:90. [PMID: 30918486 PMCID: PMC6424878 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
People with schizophrenia die on average 15-20 years earlier than age and gender matched controls in the general population. An essential part of this excess mortality in people with schizophrenia is caused by physical illnesses. Among the physical illnesses, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been identified as the most common natural cause of death in up to 40-45% of the cases. Chronotropic incompetence (CI) is defined as the inability of the heart to increase its beating frequency in proportion to increased physical activity or higher metabolic demand. It is an established independent cardiovascular risk factor for major cardiac events and overall mortality and might explain adaptation intolerance of the cardiovascular system to even minor exercise courses. CI needs objective exercise testing for definitive diagnosis and therefore represents a biological marker indicating the integrity of the cardiovascular system. It was recently described in patients with schizophrenia and might help explain the reduced physical fitness in these patients and the inability of a subgroup of patients to benefit from exercise interventions. In this study, we tried to replicate the occurrence of CI in an independent sample of patients with schizophrenia and evaluated whether CI can be influenced by a continuous endurance training of 12 weeks. Therefore, we re-analyzed the fitness testing data of 43 patients with schizophrenia and 22 aged and gender matched healthy controls. Parameters of aerobic fitness and chronotropic response to exercise were calculated. Patients with schizophrenia were less physically fit than the healthy controls and displayed a significantly higher heart rate at rest. 10 of 43 patients with schizophrenia and no healthy control subject were classified as chronotropically incompetent. Chronotropic response to exercise did not change significantly after 12 weeks of continuous aerobic exercise training. No differences were observed for baseline heart rate and peak heart rate in both subgroups of schizophrenia patients. Aerobic fitness did not improve significantly in the patients with schizophrenia classified as chronotropically incompetent. Our results confirm the occurrence of CI in patients with multi-episode schizophrenia. This should be taken into account when planning an exercise or lifestyle intervention studies in this population. Schizophrenia patients with CI do not seem to benefit as well as schizophrenia patients without CI from aerobic exercise training interventions. Larger, prospective randomized controlled clinical trials with different training interventions are urgently needed to address the topic of schizophrenia patients not responding to exercise and the relationship to the illness itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Herbsleb
- Psychiatric Brain and Body Research Group, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany.,Department of Sports Medicine and Health Promotion, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Wobrock
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, County Hospitals Darmstadt-Dieburg, Groß-Umstadt, Germany
| | - Alkomiet Hasan
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrea Schmitt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital LMU, Munich, Germany.,Laboratory of Neuroscience (LIM27), Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Peter Falkai
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital LMU, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Karl-Jürgen Bär
- Psychiatric Brain and Body Research Group, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Berend Malchow
- Psychiatric Brain and Body Research Group, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
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120
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Lane HY, Tzang RF, Chang CH, Chang YC. Autoimmune psychosis needs an early immune-modulating therapy. TAIWANESE JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 2019. [DOI: 10.4103/tpsy.tpsy_42_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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121
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Pollak TA, Rogers JP, Nagele RG, Peakman M, Stone JM, David AS, McGuire P. Antibodies in the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Prediction of Psychotic Disorders. Schizophr Bull 2019; 45:233-246. [PMID: 29474698 PMCID: PMC6293207 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sby021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Blood-based biomarker discovery for psychotic disorders has yet to impact upon routine clinical practice. In physical disorders antibodies have established roles as diagnostic, prognostic and predictive (theranostic) biomarkers, particularly in disorders thought to have a substantial autoimmune or infective aetiology. Two approaches to antibody biomarker identification are distinguished: a "top-down" approach, in which antibodies to specific antigens are sought based on the known function of the antigen and its putative role in the disorder, and emerging "bottom-up" or "omics" approaches that are agnostic as to the significance of any one antigen, using high-throughput arrays to identify distinctive components of the antibody repertoire. Here we review the evidence for antibodies (to self-antigens as well as infectious organism and dietary antigens) as biomarkers of diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response in psychotic disorders. Neuronal autoantibodies have current, and increasing, clinical utility in the diagnosis of organic or atypical psychosis syndromes. Antibodies to selected infectious agents show some promise in predicting cognitive impairment and possibly other symptom domains (eg, suicidality) within psychotic disorders. Finally, infectious antibodies and neuronal and other autoantibodies have recently emerged as potential biomarkers of response to anti-infective therapies, immunotherapies, or other novel therapeutic strategies in psychotic disorders, and have a clear role in stratifying patients for future clinical trials. As in nonpsychiatric disorders, combining biomarkers and large-scale use of "bottom-up" approaches to biomarker identification are likely to maximize the eventual clinical utility of antibody biomarkers in psychotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Pollak
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- Joint first authors
| | - Jonathan P Rogers
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- Joint first authors
| | - Robert G Nagele
- Biomarker Discovery Center, New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ
| | - Mark Peakman
- Department of Immunobiology, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - James M Stone
- Department of Neuroimaging, Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Anthony S David
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Philip McGuire
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
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122
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Macher S, Zimprich F, De Simoni D, Höftberger R, Rommer PS. Management of Autoimmune Encephalitis: An Observational Monocentric Study of 38 Patients. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2708. [PMID: 30524441 PMCID: PMC6262885 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last years the clinical picture of autoimmune encephalitis has gained importance in neurology. The broad field of symptoms and syndromes poses a great challenge in diagnosis for clinicians. Early diagnosis and the initiation of the appropriate treatment is the most relevant step in the management of the patients. Over the last years advances in neuroimmunology have elucidated pathophysiological basis and improved treatment concepts. In this monocentric study we compare demographics, diagnostics, treatment options and outcomes with knowledge from literature. We present 38 patients suffering from autoimmune encephalitis. Antibodies were detected against NMDAR and LGI1 in seven patients, against GAD in 6 patients) one patient had coexisting antibodies against GABAA and GABAB), against CASPR2, IGLON5, YO, Glycine in 3 patients, against Ma-2 in 2 patients, against CV2 and AMPAR in 1 patient; two patients were diagnosed with hashimoto encephalitis with antibodies against TPO/TG. First, we compare baseline data of patients who were consecutively diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis from a retrospective view. Further, we discuss when to stop immunosuppressive therapy since how long treatment should be performed after clinical stabilization or an acute relapse is still a matter of debate. Our experiences are comparable with data from literature. However, in contrary to other experts in the field we stop treatment and monitor patients very closely after tumor removal and after rehabilitation from first attack.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Macher
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Desiree De Simoni
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Romana Höftberger
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paulus S Rommer
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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123
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Baumgartner A, Rauer S, Hottenrott T, Leypoldt F, Ufer F, Hegen H, Prüss H, Lewerenz J, Deisenhammer F, Stich O. Admission diagnoses of patients later diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis. J Neurol 2018; 266:124-132. [PMID: 30421340 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-018-9105-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the detection of autoantibodies against neuronal surface antigens, autoimmune encephalitis (AE) has been more frequently diagnosed, especially in patients with symptoms typical of limbic encephalitis, such as seizures, short-term memory deficits, or psychosis. However, the clinical spectrum of AE may be much wider, making correct clinical diagnosis difficult. METHODS We retrospectively analysed symptoms and admission diagnoses at first clinical presentation in 50 AE patients. We included patients with a clinical diagnosis of AE for whom a FDG-PET imaging was available. Final diagnoses were re-evaluated by a blinded investigator according to the most recent consensus suggestions published in 2016 for AE diagnostic criteria. We additionally describe two patients with Morvan syndrome who showed CASPR2 antibodies. RESULTS In 40 patients (80.0%), the clinical presentation at first admission was typical for AE. Ten patients (20.0%) initially suffered from atypical symptoms; among these patients, isolated headache and cerebellar dysfunction were most frequent (three patients each). However, an initial diagnosis of suspected encephalitis was only reached in 16 patients (32.0%), nine (18.0) of which were suspected to have infectious encephalitis, and seven (14.0%) patients were suspected to have AE. In 34 patients (68.0%), a diagnosis other than encephalitis was considered, (e.g., epilepsy, psychiatric diseases, transient ischemic attack, dementia, meningitis, and cerebellitis). CONCLUSIONS These data show the broad spectrum of initial symptoms of AE; the correct initial diagnosis of AE is often missed or delayed. Hence, clinicians in neurological and psychiatric hospitals should consider AE in the differential diagnosis of cases with atypical clinical presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Baumgartner
- Department of Neurology, 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
| | - Tilman Hottenrott
- Department of Neurology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Frank Leypoldt
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Friederike Ufer
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Harald Hegen
- Clinical Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Harald Prüss
- Department of Neurology, Charité University Medicine Berlin and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Lewerenz
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Florian Deisenhammer
- Clinical Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Oliver Stich
- Medical Care Center, Neurology, Konstanz, Germany
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124
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Schou MB, Sæther SG, Drange OK, Krane-Gartiser K, Reitan SK, Vaaler AE, Kondziella D. The significance of anti-neuronal antibodies for acute psychiatric disorders: a retrospective case-controlled study. BMC Neurosci 2018; 19:68. [PMID: 30390633 PMCID: PMC6215671 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-018-0471-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The clinical significance of anti-neuronal antibodies in patients with psychiatric disorders, but without encephalitis, remains unknown. In patients admitted to acute psychiatric inpatient care we aimed to identify clinical features distinguishing anti-neuronal antibody positive patients from matched controls. Results Patients who were serum-positive to N-methyl d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) (n = 21), contactin-associated protein 2 (CASPR2) (n = 14) and/or glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) (n = 9) antibodies (cases) were age and sex matched (1:2) with serum-negative patients from the same cohort (controls). The prevalence and severity of psychiatric symptoms frequently encountered in NMDAR, CASPR2 and GAD65 antibody associated disorders were compared in cases and controls. NMDAR, CASPR2 and GAD65 antibody positive patients did not differ in their clinical presentation from matched serum negative controls. Conclusion In this cohort, patients with and without NMDAR, CASPR2 and GAD65 antibodies admitted to acute psychiatric inpatient care had similar psychiatric phenotypes. This does not exclude their clinical relevance in subgroups of patients, and studies further investigating the clinical significance of anti-neuronal antibodies in patients with psychiatric symptomatology are needed. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12868-018-0471-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten B Schou
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway. .,Division of Mental Health Care, St Olavs Hospital HF, avd Østmarka, Trondheim University Hospital, Postboks 3250, Torgarden, 7006, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Sverre Georg Sæther
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.,Division of Mental Health Care, St Olavs Hospital HF, Nidaros DPS, Trondheim University Hospital, Postboks 3250, Torgarden, 7006, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ole Kristian Drange
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.,Division of Mental Health Care, St Olavs Hospital HF, avd Østmarka, Trondheim University Hospital, Postboks 3250, Torgarden, 7006, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Karoline Krane-Gartiser
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.,Division of Mental Health Care, St Olavs Hospital HF, avd Østmarka, Trondheim University Hospital, Postboks 3250, Torgarden, 7006, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Solveig K Reitan
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.,Division of Mental Health Care, Tiller DPS, St Olavs Hospital HF, Trondheim University Hospital, Postboks 3250, Torgarden, 7006, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Arne E Vaaler
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.,Division of Mental Health Care, St Olavs Hospital HF, avd Østmarka, Trondheim University Hospital, Postboks 3250, Torgarden, 7006, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Daniel Kondziella
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.,Neurology Department, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvei 9, 2100, København Ø, Denmark
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Midgley
- Core Medical Trainee, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London
| | - Eric Kelleher
- Clinical Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry, University College Cork and Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, Department of Liaison Psychiatry, Cork University Hospital, Cork
| | - Michael S Zandi
- Honorary Senior Lecturer, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London and Honorary Consultant Neurologist, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London WC1N 3BG
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Scott JG, Gillis D, Swayne A, Blum S. Testing for antibodies to N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor and other neuronal cell surface antigens in patients with early psychosis. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2018; 52:727-729. [PMID: 29923413 DOI: 10.1177/0004867418782421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- James G Scott
- 1 Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia.,2 Metro North Mental Health, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH), Herston, QLD, Australia.,3 Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR), Wacol, QLD, Australia.,4 Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - David Gillis
- 5 Division of Immunology, Pathology Queensland Central Laboratory, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH), Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew Swayne
- 1 Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia.,6 Department of Neurology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.,7 Mater Centre for Neurosciences, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Stefan Blum
- 1 Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia.,6 Department of Neurology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.,7 Mater Centre for Neurosciences, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Abstract
There is wide variability in how psychiatry guidelines and textbooks address the question of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diagnostics in the screening of psychiatric disorders. A United States-based textbook confirms that there is no consensus about which laboratory investigation should be routinely performed in psychiatric patients, but with respect to CSF diagnostics, the differences are even more striking. A survey among European experts showed a wide variety of opinions regarding clinical use and criteria in various countries of Europe and worldwide: some psychiatrists, mostly university hospital-based, recommended performing CSF diagnostics in every patient first experiencing severe mental illness (SMI), but especially in patients from the schizophrenia spectrum, whereas others almost never perform CSF examinations themselves and usually refer patients to neurology departments if necessary. Minor neurologic signs are generally frequent in SMI, mainly in affective and schizophrenic disorders. Even with neurologic signs present, there are no clear guidelines regarding CSF evaluation, leaving doctors with experience-based decision making. However, the field is evolving. A recent review provides helpful yellow and red flags for differential diagnosis of SMI from autoimmune encephalitis; interestingly, minor CSF abnormalities are considered a red flag, suggesting that CSF should be routinely performed in acute psychiatric patients. There are reports of single cases identified as an established neurologic disorder: patients within affective and schizophrenic spectrum disorders systematically underwent CSF examination, and were rediagnosed based on CSF results. This was often to the surprise of the psychiatric doctors. Overall, an increasing number of psychiatrists believe that CSF is too rarely examined in psychiatric patients. This chapter provides an overview of differential diagnostic issues in SMI, particularly for new-onset cases. The general recommendations regarding CSF examination procedures can be found in other chapters of this book. Here we focus on specific aspects of differential diagnosis in SMI. Also, there will be an overview of admittedly limited CSF research efforts in psychiatric disorders, focusing on more recent CSF studies. CSF studies in SMI performed with state-of-the-art methods, for example proteomics or assessments of cytokines, were intriguing but difficult to interpret and required critical considerations regarding respective methodology, an undertaking which is outside the scope of this chapter.
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128
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The effect of delayed anti-NMDAR encephalitis recognition on disease outcome. J Neurovirol 2018; 24:638-641. [PMID: 29785583 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-018-0648-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is an acute form of brain inflammation that is potentially lethal but has a high probability for recovery with treatment. Although the clinical picture of anti-NMDAR encephalitis is usually recognizable due to its relatively well-known symptoms, the disorder can sometimes present itself in an unpredictable and atypical way. In this case report, we wish to present the influence of different delay times prior to the establishment of diagnosis. Thus, our first patient was diagnosed with anti-NMDAR encephalitis 4 years after the initial symptoms, the second one after 8 years, and the third one after 13 months. The outcomes of the three presented patients indicate the importance of being aware of many clinical presentations of this disorder, as its early diagnosis greatly affects the outcome and may reduce permanent damage, especially in cognitive functions.
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129
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Autoimmune encephalitis and psychiatric disorders. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2018; 174:228-236. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Najjar S, Steiner J, Najjar A, Bechter K. A clinical approach to new-onset psychosis associated with immune dysregulation: the concept of autoimmune psychosis. J Neuroinflammation 2018; 15:40. [PMID: 29433523 PMCID: PMC5809809 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-018-1067-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing data point to the overlap between psychosis and pathological processes associated with immunological dysregulation as well as inflammation. Notably, the recent discovery of antibodies against synaptic and neuronal cell membrane proteins such as anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor provides more direct evidence of the etiological connection between autoimmunity and subsequent hazard of psychosis. Here, we advocate the use of term “autoimmune psychosis,” as this term suggests that autoimmune disorders can masquerade as drug-resistant primary psychosis, and this subtype of psychosis has anatomical and immunological footprints in the brain, despite the frequent absence of structural abnormalities on conventional brain MRI. Furthermore, this term might serve as a reminder not to overlook appropriate neurological workup such as neuroimaging and EEG testing, as well as CSF analysis, for cases with acute or subacute atypical onset of neuropsychiatric presentations including those dominated by acute psychotic symptoms. We propose etiologically and serologically oriented subclassification as well as multi-modal diagnostic approach to address some of the challenges inherent to early diagnosis of patients presenting with atypical and refractory new-onset psychotic symptoms of autoimmune origin. This is particularly relevant to the diagnosis of seronegative but probable autoimmune psychosis (SPAP) that might masquerade as antipsychotic drug-resistant primary psychotic disorder. This distinction is therapeutically important as autoimmune-related psychotic symptomatology can frequently respond well to timely treatment with proper immune modulatory therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souhel Najjar
- Department of Neurology, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, 8 Black Hall, 130 E 77th Street, New York, NY, 10075, USA.
| | - Johann Steiner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Amanda Najjar
- Department of Neurology, Lenox Hill Hospital, 8 Black Hall, 130 E 77th Street, New York, NY, 10075, USA
| | - Karl Bechter
- Ulm University, Ludwig-Heilmeyer-Str. 4, D-89312, Günzburg, Germany
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131
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Schou M, Saether SG. NMDA receptor antibodies are found in a small subgroup of patients with first-episode psychosis, but their clinical relevance is unknown. EVIDENCE-BASED MENTAL HEALTH 2018; 21:e1-e2. [PMID: 28947675 PMCID: PMC10270414 DOI: 10.1136/eb-2017-102720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Morten Schou
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Psychiatry, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim Univeristy Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sverre Georg Saether
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Psychiatry, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim Univeristy Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
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Al-Diwani AA, Lennox BR. Neuroimmunology 2017: making progress over 20 years. Lancet Psychiatry 2018; 5:9-10. [PMID: 29277216 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(17)30482-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Bechter K. Encephalitis, Mild Encephalitis, Neuroprogression, or Encephalopathy-Not Merely a Question of Terminology. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:782. [PMID: 30787887 PMCID: PMC6372546 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Psychoneuroimmunology research has presented emerging evidence of the involvement of inflammatory and immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of severe mental disorders. In this context, new terms with increasing clinical relevance have been proposed, challenging the existing terms, and requiring consensus definitions of the new ones. Method: From a perspective of longstanding personal involvement in clinical settings and research in psychoneuroimmunology, the new and the existing terms are critically reconsidered. Results: Meningoencephalitis and encephalitis are comparably well defined clinical terms in neuropsychiatry, although in the individual case approach diagnosis can be difficult, for example in some cases of encephalitis that are described with normal cerebrospinal fluid findings, or often in chronic encephalitis. Encephalopathy is also a widely accepted term, however, with a surprisingly broad meaning with regard to the assigned underlying pathophysiology, ranging from one-hit traumatic encephalopathy to inflammatory encephalopathy, the latter term addressing a type of brain dysfunction secondary to acute systemic inflammation without proven brain autochthonus inflammation (neuroinflammation). However, this latter assumption and term may be wrong as neuroinflammation is difficult to prove in vivo. With emerging insights into prevailing inflammatory and neuroinflammatory mechanisms that are involved in the pathogenesis of severe mental disorders, the interdependent aspects of sensitive assessment and potential clinical relevance of mild neuroinflammation are becoming more apparent and of increasing clinical interest. The new terms "mild encephalitis," "parainflammation," and "neuroprogression" show considerable overlap in addition to gaps and hardly defined borders. However, details are hard to discuss as available studies use many biomarkers, but most of these are done without an established categorical attribution to exclusive terms. Most important, the three new concepts (neruoprogression, parainflammation, and mild encephalitis) are not mutually exclusive, even at the individual case level, and therefore will require state-related individual assessment approaches beyond large confirmatory studies. Conclusion: The newly proposed terms of mild encephalitis, parainflammation, and neuroprogression have an emerging clinical relevance, but respective borders, gaps and overlap in between them remain unclear, and these concepts may even be seen as complementary. Categorical delineation of the new and reconsideration of the existing terms with respect to individualized psychiatric treatment is required for better clinical use, eventually requiring a consensus approach. Here, a critique based on available data and a focus on clinical perspective was outlined, which may help to enhance fruitful discussion. The idea followed here is in line with pillar number six as proposed for the Research Diagnostic Domains, i.e., to provide and follow new concepts in psychiatric research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Bechter
- Department Psychiatry and Psychotherapy II, Bezirkskrankenhaus Günzburg, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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134
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Jonuskaite D, Kalibatas P, Praninskiene R, Zalubiene A, Jucaite A, Cerkauskiene R. Adolescent with acute psychosis due to anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis: successful recovery. Scand J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Psychol 2017. [DOI: 10.21307/sjcapp-2017-012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is a relatively new autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system. We report the first case of anti-NMDAR autoimmune encephalitis combined with anti-voltage-gated potassium channel (anti-VGKC) antibodies in Lithuania in a 16-year-old girl. The patient was admitted to psychiatry unit because of an acute psychotic episode. She was unsuccessfully treated with antipsychotics, and electroconvulsive therapy was initiated because of her rapidly deteriorating condition. Electroconvulsive therapy improved the patient’s condition even before the initiation of immunomodulatory therapy. The abrupt onset, atypical and severe course of psychosis, poor response to antipsychotic treatment, and signs of flu-like prodromal period led to the search of non-psychiatric causes. Although with considerable delay, she was screened for an autoimmune encephalitis. Positive anti-NMDA receptor antibodies were found in the cerebrospinal fluid, but not in serum. In addition, serum was found positive for antinuclear antibodies and anti-VGKC antibodies but negative for CASPR2 and LGI1 antibodies. The girl was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and methylprednisolone with satisfactory response, although infrequent orofacial movements, emotional lability, and learning deficits remained upon discharge. The reported case suggests that multiple antibodies could be present, and that electroconvulsive therapy may have a role in symptomatic treatment of autoimmune encephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dovile Jonuskaite
- Children’s Hospital, Affiliate of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos , Vilnius , Lithuania
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University , Vilnius , Lithuania
| | - Paulius Kalibatas
- Children’s Hospital, Affiliate of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos , Vilnius , Lithuania
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University , Vilnius , Lithuania
| | - Ruta Praninskiene
- Children’s Hospital, Affiliate of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos , Vilnius , Lithuania
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University , Vilnius , Lithuania
| | - Asta Zalubiene
- University Dep. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Republican Vilnius Psychiatry Hospital , Vilnius , Lithuania
| | - Aurelija Jucaite
- Dep. of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Rimante Cerkauskiene
- Children’s Hospital, Affiliate of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos , Vilnius , Lithuania
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University , Vilnius , Lithuania
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135
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Hemiataxia: A Novel Presentation of Anti-NMDA Receptor Antibody Mediated Encephalitis in an Adolescent. Case Rep Psychiatry 2017; 2017:1310465. [PMID: 29333310 PMCID: PMC5733199 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1310465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-NMDA receptor antibody associated encephalitis as a cause of new-onset neuropsychiatric manifestations in children and adults can represent a significant diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Clinical signs often include encephalopathy, new-onset psychosis, and movement phenomenon. Although orofacial dyskinesias were initially identified as a characteristic movement phenomenon in this type of encephalitis, an expanded range of abnormalities has recently been reported, including isolated ataxia. We report a case of isolated hemiataxia in a young adult with mild initial psychiatric manifestations. A personal and family history of preceding neuropsychiatric symptoms produced diagnostic confusion and resulted in a significant diagnostic and therapeutic delay. Our case confirms the unilateral movement manifestations that have been emphasized in recent reports. Additionally, it confirms the need for involvement of neurologic as well as psychiatric services in the evaluation of such cases and emphasizes the importance of the neurologic examination in presentations with an initial psychiatric predominance.
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137
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Harutyunyan G, Hauer L, Dünser MW, Moser T, Pikija S, Leitinger M, Novak HF, Aichhorn W, Trinka E, Sellner J. Risk Factors for Intensive Care Unit Admission in Patients with Autoimmune Encephalitis. Front Immunol 2017; 8:835. [PMID: 28804482 PMCID: PMC5532517 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Prevention and early recognition of critical illness in patients with autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is essential to achieve better outcome. Aim of the study To evaluate risk factors for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and its prognostic impact in patients with AE. Patients and methods A reclassification of patients hospitalized between 2011 and 2016 revealed 17 “definite” and 15 “probable” AE cases. Thirteen patients (41%) developed critical illness and required ICU admission. The underlying conditions were intractable seizures or status epilepticus (54%), altered mental state (39%), and respiratory failure (8%). Results ICU admission was associated with longer time from first symptoms to hospitalization (p = 0.046). Regression analysis revealed that anemia on hospital admission and definite diagnosis of AE was associated with a higher risk of acquiring critical illness. At last follow-up after a median of 31 months (range 2.5–52.4), seven patients had died (23%) and 63% had a good outcome [modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–3]. Anemia was associated with poor prognosis (p = 0.021), whereas development of critical illness did not impact mortality and functional outcome. Conclusion We confirmed the need for ICU care in a subgroup of patients and the prevailing objective is improved seizure control, and definite diagnosis of AE and anemia were identified as risk factors for development of critical illness. However, prognosis was not affected by ICU admission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayane Harutyunyan
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler Medical Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Larissa Hauer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Christian Doppler Medical Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Martin W Dünser
- Department of Critical Care, University College of London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tobias Moser
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler Medical Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Slaven Pikija
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler Medical Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Markus Leitinger
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler Medical Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Helmut F Novak
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler Medical Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Aichhorn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Christian Doppler Medical Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Eugen Trinka
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler Medical Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johann Sellner
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler Medical Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, München, Germany
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