Padmos RC, Bekris L, Knijff EM, Tiemeier H, Kupka RW, Cohen D, Nolen WA, Lernmark A, Drexhage HA. A high prevalence of organ-specific autoimmunity in patients with bipolar disorder.
Biol Psychiatry 2004;
56:476-82. [PMID:
15450782 DOI:
10.1016/j.biopsych.2004.07.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2003] [Revised: 03/17/2004] [Accepted: 07/06/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
In a previous study, we reported an increased prevalence of thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOA) in patients with bipolar disorder. Here we report the prevalence of other organ-specific autoantibodies: H/K adenosine triphosphatase (ATPA), glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 (GAD65A), and GAD-67 (GAD67A).
METHODS
ATPA, GAD65A, and GAD67A were determined (via a commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for ATPA, and a standardized radio immunoassays for GAD65A and GAD67A)in the sera of 239 patients with DSM-IV bipolar disorder, in 74 patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia, and in 220 healthy control subjects.
RESULTS
The positivity prevalences for ATPA and GAD65A (but not GAD67A) were elevated in bipolar patients compared with those in healthy control subjects (11.7 vs. 6.1% and 11.3 vs. 2.6% respectively; p <.05). Schizophrenia patients did not show such statistically higher prevalence. The elevated prevalence of ATPA and GAD65A in bipolar disorder was associated with neither rapid cycling nor the use of lithium. Interestingly, the presence of GAD65A (and not that of TPOA and ATPA) tended to be associated with the activity of bipolar disorder. The level of TPOA was negatively correlated with the serum level of sIL-2R, a measure of T cell activation.
CONCLUSION
Bipolar disorder is associated with organ-specific autoimmunity to the antigens TPO, H/K ATPase, and GAD65.
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