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Jyonouchi H. Autism spectrum disorder and a possible role of anti-inflammatory treatments: experience in the pediatric allergy/immunology clinic. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1333717. [PMID: 38979496 PMCID: PMC11228311 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1333717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD1) is a behaviorally defined syndrome encompassing a markedly heterogeneous patient population. Many ASD subjects fail to respond to the 1st line behavioral and pharmacological interventions, leaving parents to seek out other treatment options. Evidence supports that neuroinflammation plays a role in ASD pathogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms likely vary for each ASD patient, influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Although anti-inflammatory treatment measures, mainly based on metabolic changes and oxidative stress, have provided promising results in some ASD subjects, the use of such measures requires the careful selection of ASD subjects based on clinical and laboratory findings. Recent progress in neuroscience and molecular immunology has made it possible to allow re-purposing of currently available anti-inflammatory medications, used for autoimmune and other chronic inflammatory conditions, as treatment options for ASD subjects. On the other hand, emerging anti-inflammatory medications, including biologic and gate-keeper blockers, exert powerful anti-inflammatory effects on specific mediators or signaling pathways. It will require both a keen understanding of the mechanisms of action of such agents and the careful selection of ASD patients suitable for each treatment. This review will attempt to summarize the use of anti-inflammatory agents already used in targeting ASD patients, and then emerging anti-inflammatory measures applicable for ASD subjects based on scientific rationale and clinical trial data, if available. In our experience, some ASD patients were treated under diagnoses of autoimmune/autoinflammatory conditions and/or post-infectious neuroinflammation. However, there are little clinical trial data specifically for ASD subjects. Therefore, these emerging immunomodulating agents for potential use for ASD subjects will be discussed based on preclinical data, case reports, or data generated in patients with other medical conditions. This review will hopefully highlight the expanding scope of immunomodulating agents for treating neuroinflammation in ASD subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harumi Jyonouchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
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Quinn OP, McNaughton P, Pereira N, Riney K. Genetic causes of infection induced encephalitis. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2024; 50:16-22. [PMID: 38564873 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2024.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with encephalitis following a viral infection are often thought to have a para infectious, inflammatory, or autoimmune cause for their presentation. These diagnoses usually result in treatments with immunosuppressant therapies which can have side effects. However, there is an increasing body of evidence demonstrating that patients can have a direct genetic cause mediating viral infection triggered encephalitis, where inflammation is a secondary response. These patients may benefit not from immunosuppressive therapies, but from protection from infection through dedicated immunisation programs and early antiviral therapies at times of infection. METHODS A small case series of paediatric neurology patients (n = 2) from a single institution with infection induced encephalitis and an underlying genetic cause, is presented. Patients with a confirmed genetic cause of infection induced encephalitis were identified and consented by their treating neurologist for inclusion in this case series. Ethics approval was gained for this case series and review of the surrounding literature. CONCLUSION A case of both DBR1 and NUP214 genetic changes resulting in infection induced encephalitis is presented. This case series raises awareness of this rare group of disorders and provides clues to their identification. Features to prompt clinician consideration of such genetic conditions are also highlighted. Although rare, identification of these patients is important due to implications on treatment, prognosis, and family planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia-Paris Quinn
- Department of Neurosciences, Queensland Children's Hospital, Queensland, Australia; The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Peter McNaughton
- The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia; Department of Immunology and Allergy, Queensland Children's Hospital, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nolette Pereira
- Department of Radiology, Queensland Children's Hospital, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kate Riney
- Department of Neurosciences, Queensland Children's Hospital, Queensland, Australia; The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
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Zhang R, Zhao X, Li W, Gao Y. Refractory Anti- N -Methyl- d -Aspartate Receptor Autoimmune Encephalitis Induced by Ovarian Teratoma: A Case Report. Clin Neuropharmacol 2024; 47:62-64. [PMID: 38285059 DOI: 10.1097/wnf.0000000000000581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Teratoma is a type of germ cell tumor that derived from early embryonic stem cells and germ cell lines, which can lead to a rare complication known as paraneoplastic encephalitis syndrome. Delayed removal of teratoma allows for continuing antigen presentation, inducing affinity maturation of the antibody and the generation of long-lived plasma cells that infiltrate both bone marrow and brain, which makes the patient nonresponsive to later removal of teratoma and refractory to immunotherapy. We present this rare case to remind clinicians to be vigilant for the recognition and removal of teratoma during the treatment of autoimmune encephalitis. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the clinical record of this 12-year 5-month-old female patient diagnosed with anti- N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) autoimmune encephalitis; her ovarian teratoma was unidentified on admission. She did not respond to immunosuppressive therapy until the mature ovarian teratoma identified 45 days after admission and removed the following day, nearly 2 months after symptom onset. This patient experienced nearly complete resolution of symptoms within the subsequent 2 weeks. In addition, we conducted a literature review of the clinical presentations and treatment of anti-NMDAR autoimmune encephalitis associated with ovarian teratoma in the pediatric population. RESULTS Our findings suggest that clinicians should be vigilant for the recognition and removal of teratoma during the treatment of autoimmune encephalitis. CONCLUSION Female pediatric patients with suspected anti-NMDAR encephalitis should be screened for ovarian tumors immediately and treated in a multidisciplinary setting including neurology and obstetrics and gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu
| | - Xuemei Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Qingdao West Coast New Area People's Hospital, Qingdao
| | - Wenjing Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu
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Shen X, Wang F. The additional treatment value of immunoglobulin for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis complicated with interstitial lung disease: A propensity score-matched pilot study. Int J Rheum Dis 2023; 26:1745-1750. [PMID: 37507851 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.14808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the additional treatment value of intravenous immunoglobulin injections for treating interstitial lung disease (ILD) caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS This pilot study included patients with RA-ILD. The RA-ILD patients were grouped by treatment agents: traditional agents (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, [D]MARDs] and glucocorticoids) and traditional agents plus immunoglobulin. A propensity matching score (PSM) was performed to balance the bias of baseline characteristics. The treatment efficacy and safety indicators were analyzed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS In total, 134 patients were included in this study. After PSM, 80 patients were finally included, with 40 in each group. The immunoglobulin group consisted of 12 men and 28 women with a mean age of 51.5 ± 8.4 years (22-75 years). The control group included 13 men and 27 women, with a mean age of 50.6 ± 8.2 years (25-74 years). The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test score in the immunoglobulin group was statistically lower after treatment than in the control group (19.1 ± 3.3 vs. 17.7 ± 3.4, p = .03). The 6-min walking distance (364.4 ± 54.3 vs. 332.3 ± 55.1, p = .04) and forced vital capacity (78.8 ± 12.6 vs. 66.6 ± 11.2, p = .05) were statistically higher in the immunoglobulin group. The high-resolution computed tomography score and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were both statistically lower in the immunoglobulin group (both p < .05). The adverse event rate did not differ between the two groups (p = .61). CONCLUSION The additional use of immunoglobulin intravenous injection is effective for the treatment of RA-ILD with no additional adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Shen
- Department of respiratory disease, 72nd Group Army Hospital, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of respiratory disease, 72nd Group Army Hospital, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
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Guarino M, La Bella S, Santoro M, Caposiena D, Di Lembo E, Chiarelli F, Iannetti G. The Leading Role of Brain and Abdominal Radiological Features in the Work-Up of Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis in Children: An Up-To-Date Review. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13040662. [PMID: 37190627 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13040662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis (NMDARe) is the most common cause of nonviral encephalitis, mostly affecting young women and adolescents with a strong female predominance (F/M ratio of around 4:1). NMDARe is characterized by the presence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) antibodies against NMDARs, even though its pathophysiological mechanisms have not totally been clarified. The clinical phenotype of NMDARe is composed of both severe neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms, including generalized seizures with desaturations, behavioral abnormalities, and movement disorders. NMDARe is often a paraneoplastic illness, mainly due to the common presence of concomitant ovarian teratomas in young women. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) is a key imaging technique that should always be performed in suspected patients. The timely use of abdominal US and the peculiar radiological features observed in NMDARe may allow for a quick diagnosis and a good prognosis, with rapid improvement after the resection of the tumor and the correct drug therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriana Guarino
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara "G. D'Annunzio", Via Dei Vestini 5, Ospedale Clinicizzato Chieti (CH), 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Saverio La Bella
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara "G. D'Annunzio", Via Dei Vestini 5, Ospedale Clinicizzato Chieti (CH), 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Marco Santoro
- Department of Radiology, Pescara Public Hospital "Santo Spirito", 65124 Pescara, Italy
| | - Daniele Caposiena
- Department of Radiology, Pescara Public Hospital "Santo Spirito", 65124 Pescara, Italy
| | - Enza Di Lembo
- Department of Internist Ultrasound, Pescara Public Hospital "Santo Spirito", 65124 Pescara, Italy
| | - Francesco Chiarelli
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara "G. D'Annunzio", Via Dei Vestini 5, Ospedale Clinicizzato Chieti (CH), 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Giovanni Iannetti
- Department of Internist Ultrasound, Pescara Public Hospital "Santo Spirito", 65124 Pescara, Italy
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Zhang F, Gao X, Liu J, Zhang C. Biomarkers in autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1111719. [PMID: 37090723 PMCID: PMC10113662 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1111719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) represent individual heterogeneity with different disease entities. Although clinical and imaging features make it possible to characterize larger patient cohorts, they may not provide sufficient evidence to detect disease activity and response to disease modifying drugs. Biomarkers are becoming a powerful tool due to their objectivity and easy access. Biomarkers may indicate various aspects of biological processes in healthy and/or pathological states, or as a response to drug therapy. According to the clinical features described, biomarkers are usually classified into predictive, diagnostic, monitoring and safety biomarkers. Some nerve injury markers, humoral markers, cytokines and immune cells in serum or cerebrospinal fluid have potential roles in disease severity and prognosis in autoimmune diseases occurring in the CNS, which provides a promising approach for clinicians to early intervention and prevention of future disability. Therefore, this review mainly summarizes the potential biomarkers indicated in autoimmune disorders of the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenghe Zhang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neuroimmunology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xue Gao
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neuroimmunology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neuroimmunology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neuroimmunology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Centers of Neuroimmunology and Neurological Diseases, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Chao Zhang,
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Hauptman AJ, Ferrafiat V. Neuroinflammatory syndromes in children. Curr Opin Psychiatry 2023; 36:87-95. [PMID: 36705007 DOI: 10.1097/yco.0000000000000846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Neuropsychiatric symptoms due to paediatric neuroinflammatory diseases are increasingly recognized and reported. Psychiatrists are crucial in front-lines identification, diagnosis and care of individuals with disorders such as autoimmune encephalitis and management of long-term neurobehavioral sequelae. This review summarizes recent literature on autoimmune and post-infectious encephalitis, discusses special considerations in children with neurodevelopmental conditions and presents a paradigm for evaluation and management. RECENT FINDINGS There is a growing body of evidence on neuropsychiatric symptom burdens of paediatric neuroinflammatory diseases. A particular development is the evolution of diagnostic and treatment guidelines for conditions such as autoimmune encephalitis, which take into account phenotypes of acute, short-term and long-term sequelae. Interest in inflammatory sequelae of viral illness, such as SARS-CoV-2, in children remains in early development. SUMMARY Neuroimmunological disease data are constantly evolving. New recommendations exist for multiple common neuroimmunological disorders with behavioural, emotional, cognitive and neurological sequelae. Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis now has well-recognized patterns of symptom semiology, diagnostic and treatment recommendations, and outcome patterns. Recognizing psychiatric symptoms heralding autoimmune brain disease and understanding neuropsychiatric sequelae are now a crucial skill set for paediatric psychiatrists. Exploration of inflammatory features of other diseases, such as genetic syndromes, is a burgeoning research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J Hauptman
- Kennedy Krieger Institute
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Vladimir Ferrafiat
- Reference Center for Inborn Errors of Metabolism
- Reference Center for Intellectual Disabilities of Rare Causes, La Timone University Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
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Malik P, Shroff M. Infection and inflammation: radiological insights into patterns of pediatric immune-mediated CNS injury. Neuroradiology 2023; 65:425-439. [PMID: 36534135 PMCID: PMC9761646 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-022-03100-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) undergoes constant immune surveillance enabled via regionally specialized mechanisms. These include selectively permissive barriers and modifications to interlinked innate and adaptive immune systems that detect and remove an inciting trigger. The end-points of brain injury and edema from these triggers are varied but often follow recognizable patterns due to shared underlying immune drivers. Imaging provides insights to understanding these patterns that often arise from unique interplays of infection, inflammation and genetics. We review the current updates in our understanding of these intersections and through examples of cases from our practice, highlight that infection and inflammation follow diverse yet convergent mechanisms that can challenge the CNS in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prateek Malik
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Manohar Shroff
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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