Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone and anti-thyroglobulin antibody are independently associated with lesions in spinal cord in central nervous system demyelinating diseases

Myelitis preceding anti-N-terminal of α-enolase antibody-positive Hashimoto's encephalopathy

Hashimoto's encephalopathy is an autoimmune disease characterized by diverse clinical and imaging manifestations, often presenting considerable challenges in its diagnosis, especially when myelitis occurs before the onset of encephalopathy. Anti-N-terminal of α-enolase antibodies targeting the N-terminal of α-enolase are specific serum markers of Hashimoto's encephalopathy; however, studies analyzing their association with myelitis are lacking. Herein, we describe the case of a patient with myelitis who later developed encephalopathy. Owing to positivity for anti-N-terminal of α-enolase antibodies in the serum, a diagnosis of Hashimoto's encephalopathy was made. Detecting anti-NAE antibodies can be useful in diagnosing myelitis of unknown etiology.

The role of thyroid-stimulating hormone in regulating lipid metabolism: Implications for body-brain communication

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is a pituitary hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce and release thyroid hormones, primarily thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These hormones are key players in body-brain communication, influencing various physiological processes, including the regulation of metabolism (both peripheral and central effects), feedback mechanisms, and lipid metabolism. Recently, the increasing incidence of abnormal lipid metabolism has highlighted the link between thyroid function and lipid metabolism. Evidence suggests that TSH can affect all bodily systems through body-brain communication, playing a crucial role in growth, development, and the regulation of various physiological systems. Lipids serve dual purposes: they are involved in energy storage and metabolism, and they act as vital signaling molecules in numerous cellular activities, maintaining overall human health or contributing to various diseases. This article reviews the role of TSH in regulating lipid metabolism via body-brain crosstalk, focusing on its implications for common lipid metabolism disorders such as obesity, atherosclerosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, neuropsychiatric disorders (including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and depression), and cerebrovascular disorders such as stroke.

Low T3 syndrome is associated with the severity of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease exacerbation

Background

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a rare autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, (CNS) different from multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). While numerous studies have delved into the involvement of thyroid antibodies (ATAbs) and thyroid function in NMOSD and MS. The objective of this study is to explore the clinical significance of thyroid dysfunction and ATAbs abnormalities in adult patients with MOGAD.

Methods

36 adult inpatients diagnosed with MOGAD and 47 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of low T3 syndrome. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and results of auxiliary examinations were compared across the subgroups. Moreover, an analysis was conducted to explore the correlations between thyroid hormone levels and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores.

Results

Thyroid dysfunction was notably more frequent in MOGAD patients than healthy controls (p < 0.0001), particularly low T3 syndrome (p=0.03). Furthermore, subgroup analyses revealed that the low T3 syndrome group exhibited higher EDSS scores and a higher proportion of individuals with EDSS scores > 3, in comparison to the non-low T3 syndrome group (p = 0.014, p = 0.046). However, no significant differences were observed in demographic characteristics, annual relapse rates, clinical phenotypes, laboratory and MRI results, and EEG abnormalities between the two groups. Additional Spearman's analysis showed significantly negative correlations between the TT3 and FT3 levels with EDSS scores (r = -0.367, p = 0.028; r = -0.377, p = 0.024). Typical brain lesions and paralateral ventricle lesions were significantly rare in patients with positive ATAbs compared to those with negative ATAbs (p = 0.0001, p = 0.03), although the incidence of ATAbs abnormalities did not differ significantly between MOGAD patients and healthy controls.

Conclusions

Overall, this study confirmed thyroid dysfunction, especially low T3 syndrome, is frequent in adult MOGAD patients. Patients with low T3 syndrome exhibited elevated EDSS scores and a significantly higher incidence of unfavorable condition. additionally, the correlation analysis model manifests that FT3 and TT3 levels were negatively correlated with EDSS scores. These evidences indicate that low T3 syndrome is associated with the severity of MOGAD exacerbation.

Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone is an independent risk factor of recurrent Guillain-Barré syndrome

INTRODUCTION/AIMS

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is generally considered to be monophasic, but some patients have recurrences. The purpose of this study was to clarify the possible link between thyroid parameters and recurrent GBS (RGBS) patients in China.

METHODS

In this retrospective study we enrolled patients who were admitted to the Department of Neurology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2014 to 2020 and fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of GBS or Miller Fisher syndrome. We evaluated clinical characteristics; cerebrospinal fluid parameters; and serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine, and free triiodothyronine in 320 individuals, including 302 with monophasic GBS and 18 with recurrent GBS.

RESULTS

Serum levels of TSH in monophasic GBS patients were significantly lower than those in RGBS patients (P < .001), whereas FT3 levels were higher in the monophasic GBS group (P = .022). Age at onset, incidence of antecedent illness, time from onset to nadir, proportion with acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, and Hughes Functional Grading Scale score at nadir were statistically significant between monophasic GBS patients and RGBS patients (P < .05). The multivariate regression analysis revealed that antecedent illness, AIDP, and high TSH were independent risk factors for RGBS. Our receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the risk of recurrence in GBS patients increases when the TSH concentration is higher than 3.87 μIU/mL.

DISCUSSION

Our results demonstrate an association between TSH and RGBS. Oxidative stress is one of the possible interpretations for this association.

Lack of association between B 12 and Body Mass Index among Saudi multiple sclerosis patients

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. It is an autoimmune disease of multifactorial etiology, linked to a variety of genetic and well-defined environmental factors. It typically affects more women than men and more frequently affects adults aged 20-45 years. Besides, vitamin B12 deficiency and obesity are associated with exacerbating central nervous system inflammation and a higher clinical disability.

Objective

The study aims to determine the association of the vitamin B12 serum concentration with the Body Mass Index BMI, thyroid-stimulating hormone serum levels and MS clinical features in Saudi MS patients.

Methods and results

This is a retrospective cohort study, and data were collected from the MS database at the King Fahad Medical City Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, from December 2015 to December 2019. Data were entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS ver. 20, Chicago, IL, USA). Cobalamin, also known as vitamin B12, has a reference concentration that ranges from 138 to 652 Pmol/L in adults. The patient's BMI was calculated by dividing the weight (in kilograms) by the square of the height (in square meters), expressed in kg/m2.Data for 169 MS subjects were collected. A total 83 of them, with a mean age of 36.2 ± 9.57 years, had vitamin B12 results. Of all patients, 16.6% had vitamin B12 deficiency (<138 pmol/L) and 9.52% of them were overweight, BMI kg/m2 = (25-29.9). The mean vitamin B12 level in all MS subjects was 240 ± 117 pmol/L. Moreover, 58.33% of the MS patients had high BMIs (BMI >25). However, no significant correlation was found between vitamin B12 deficiency neither with the BMI nor TSH concentration in MS cases (r = 0.03, p = 0.64), (r = 0.00, P = 0.9) respectively.

Conclusion

These findings revealed no association between serum vitamin B12 concentration and TSH, BMI in MS clinical parameters, however, further studies are required to validate these results.

Clinical Features and Early Recognition of 242 Cases of Autoimmune Encephalitis

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of common autoimmune encephalitis and evaluate the sensitivity of antibodies contributing to focal epilepsy signs and symptoms (ACES) score. Methods: Collecting and analyzing the data of 242 patients with autoimmune encephalitis (AE) diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2015 to December 2020 in this retrospective study. The six items of the ACES score (cognitive symptoms, behavioral changes, autonomic symptoms, speech problems, autoimmune diseases, temporal MRI hyperintensities) were screened in patients with complete clinical data. Results: (1) In total, 242 patients were included, with 147 cases of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis, 47 cases of anti-γ-aminobutyric acid type B (GABA-B) receptor encephalitis, and 48 cases of anti-leucine-rich glioma inactivating protein 1 (LGI1) encephalitis. The most common clinical symptoms are cognitive impairment (77%), behavioral changes (79%), and seizures (71%). In total, 129 cases (54%) combined with autonomic dysfunction, such as gastrointestinal dysmotility, sinus tachycardia, and central hypoventilation. Twelve patients had autoimmune diseases, most of which were of thyroid diseases. (2) One hundred and twenty-seven patients with complete clinical data evaluated ACES score, 126 cases of whom (126/127, 99.2%) were equal to or >2 points, 1 case (1/127, 0.8%) was of <2 points. Interpretation: (1) Cognitive impairment, abnormal behavior, and seizures are the most common manifestations of AE and autonomic symptoms. Thyroid disease is the most autoimmune disease in AE. Clinically, for patients of suspected AE, increasing the knowledge and testing of thyroid function and rheumatism is necessary. (2) ACES score is a simple, effective, and easy-to-operate score, with a certain screening value for most patients suspected of AE.

Positive antithyroid antibody predicts severity of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in children

BACKGROUND

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease (NMOSD) is a rare autoimmune disease, which can coexist with autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDS). There has been no report on the clinical characteristics of NMOSD in children with positive anti-thyroid antibodies (ATAbs). The aim of this study is to evaluate thyroid function and detect the difference between ATAbs seropositive and seronegative NMOSD children.

METHODS

108 children with a confirmed diagnosis of NMOSD who were admitted to Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from January 2015 to September 2020 were enrolled and their thyroid functions were evaluated. They were divided into two groups by ATAbs abnormalities. Their demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, laboratory and MRI scan results of the brain and spinal cord were assessed.

RESULTS

ATAbs positive rate was higher in children with NMOSD when compared with healthy controls (P < 0.05). Most NMOSD children with positive ATAbs were female (P < 0.01). The expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score was significantly higher in the ATAbs positive group (P < 0.01). There were statistically significant differences for the incidence of bulbar area postrema symptoms, spinal cord symptoms, and fever of unknown origin of the first onset between the ATAbs positive and negative group (P < 0.05). The ANA and MOG antibody positive rate, longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM), and electroencephalogram (EEG) were significantly higher in ATAbs positive group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

MOG antibody-positive is a unique marker of aggravation of neurological dysfunction in ATAbs-positive NMOSD children. Monitoring ATAbs may play an important role in predicting the prognosis of NMOSD.

Patients with a relapsing course of steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis exhibit persistent intrathecal CD4+ T-cell activation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT) is a rare condition defined by encephalopathy with acute or subacute onset, the presence of serum anti-thyroid antibodies, and reasonable exclusion of alternative causes. Despite having strong response towards corticosteroid treatment, some patients exhibit a chronic-relapsing course and require long-term immunosuppression. Markers for early identification of those patients are still absent. Thus, we aimed to characterise clinical as well as laboratory parameters of our local SREAT cohort.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 22 SREAT patients treated in our hospital from January 2014.

RESULTS

A total of 14 patients with a monophasic disease course and eight patients with multiple relapses were identified. Neither baseline characteristics nor routine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters were able to distinguish between those patient groups. Flow cytometry following initial relapse therapy showed treatment-resistant sequestration of activated CD4+ T cells in patients with a relapsing disease course, whereas other lymphocyte subsets showed uniform changes. Such changes were also present in long-term follow-up CSF examination.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate a potential biomarker for risk stratification in patients with SREAT. Currently, it remains unclear whether the observed two phenotypes are different spectra of SREAT or represent separate diseases in terms of pathophysiology.

Association between acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and thyroid autoimmunity in children

BACKGROUND

Abnormal thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) levels are observed in various autoimmune diseases. However, the relationship between TPOAb and pediatric acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (PADEM) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the positive rate of TPOAb and thyroid dysfunction in children with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and assess the relationship between TPOAb and clinical features of PADEM.

METHODS

This retrospective single-center case-control study was conducted from April 2017 to April 2019. We enrolled 23 children with ADEM and 23 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Based on whether they were positive for TPOAb, the children with ADEM were allocated either to the TPOAb+ or TPOAb- group. The median follow-up time was 12 months (6-30 months). Observers were blinded to the patient groupings. We compared the clinical and imaging characteristics of the two groups.

RESULTS

Among the 23 patients with PADEM, 47.8% presented with abnormal TPOAb levels, while there were no TPOAb+ cases in the control group. Among the children with ADEM, there were significantly increased TPOAb positive rates and significantly decreased fT3 levels. TPOAb+ and TPOAb- subgroup analysis revealed significant differences in gait, fever, and total IgG. In the TPOAb+ group, there was a significant decrease in TPOAb levels at 2 weeks after ADEM onset. The follow-up of patients who were TPOAb+ at 3 months after onset showed a gradual decrease in their TPOAb levels back to normal. One patient who presented new nervous system symptoms after over 1 month also showed a simultaneous increase in TPOAb levels. There was a significant negative correlation between Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores and TPOAb levels (p = 0.042, r = -0.892).

CONCLUSION

There was a negative correlation of TPOAb levels with GCS scores. Therefore, TPOAb levels could be used for the prognosis of patients with PADEM. We recommend determining thyroid function when assessing patients with PADEM during follow-up.

Free thyroxine level is associated with both relapse rate and poor neurofunction in first-attack Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) patients

Background

To investigate whether the serum free thyroxine (FT4) level is a prognostic factor for the first-attack neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD).

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled 109 patients with first-attack NMOSD. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the relapse rate were used to evaluate the outcomes. The logistic regression model was used to analyze the independent effects of FT4 on relapse and final EDSS. Kaplan-Meier analysis, scatter plot smoothing method, and two-phase piecewise linear regression model were used to investigate the relationship between the FT4 level and the relapse rate.

Results

Multivariate analysis revealed that serum FT4 level might be a risk factor for both final EDSS (β = 0.17; 95% confidence interval: 0.03–0.32) and the relapse rate (HR = 1.18; 95% confidence interval: 1.05–1.32). Furthermore, 1400 days after the onset, nearly 100% of patients in the high-FT4 group relapsed, while only 40% of the patients in the low-FT4 group relapsed. Finally, we found that the relationship between the FT4 level and the NMOSD relapse rate was nonlinear. The risk of NMOSD relapse increased with the FT4 level up to the inflection point of 12.01 pmol/L (HR = 1.45; 95% confidence interval: 1.06–1.98). When the FT4 level was > 12.01 pmol/L, there was no correlation between the FT4 level and the risk of NMOSD relapse (HR = 1.05; 95% confidence interval: 0.78–1.41).

Conclusion

Serum FT4 level may be a prognostic indicator for the first-attack in patients with NMOSD. High FT4 levels are associated with poor neurofunctions and a high relapse rate in patients with the first-attack in patients with NMOSD.

Comprehensive review of neuromyelitis optica and clinical characteristics of neuromyelitis optica patients in Puerto Rico

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. It is characterized by concurrent inflammation and demyelination of the optic nerve (optic neuritis [ON]) and the spinal cord (myelitis). Multiple studies show variations in prevalence, clinical, and demographic features of NMO among different populations. In addition, ethnicity and race are known as important factors on disease phenotype and clinical outcomes. There are little data on information about NMO patients in underserved groups, including Puerto Rico (PR). In this research, we will provide a comprehensive overview of all aspects of NMO, including epidemiology, environmental risk factors, genetic factors, molecular mechanism, symptoms, comorbidities and clinical differentiation, diagnosis, treatment, its management, and prognosis. We will also evaluate the demographic features and clinical phenotype of NMO patients in PR. This will provide a better understanding of NMO and establish a basis of knowledge that can be used to improve care. Furthermore, this type of population-based study can distinguish the clinical features variation among NMO patients and will provide insight into the potential mechanisms that cause these variations.

Autoimmune diseases associated with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: A literature review

INTRODUCTION

Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which predominantly involves optic nerves and spinal cord. Since the introduction of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD) as a separate entity, there have been many reports on its association with other disorders including systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Here, we reviewed other immune-mediated diseases associated with NMOSD and tried to categorize them.

METHODS

The present review was conducted using the PUBMED database based on papers from 1976 (i.e., since the first NMO comorbidity with SLE was reported) to 2017. We included all articles published in English. The keywords utilized included Neuromyelitis optica, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders, Devic's disease, in combination with comorbidity or comorbidities.

RESULTS

Diseases with immune-based pathogenesis are the most frequently reported co-morbidities associated with NMOSD, most of which are antibody-mediated diseases. According to literature, Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) are the most frequently reported diseases associated with NMOSD among systemic autoimmune diseases. Further, myasthenia gravis in neurological and autoimmune thyroid diseases in non-neurological organ-specific autoimmune diseases are the most reported comorbidities associated with NMOSD in the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

NMOSD may be associated with a variety of different types of autoimmune diseases. Therefore, systemic or laboratory signs which are not typical for NMOSD should be properly investigated to exclude other associated comorbidities. These comorbidities may affect the treatment strategy and may improve the patients' care and management.

T3 level may be a helpful marker to predict disease prognosis of acute central nervous system viral infections

AIM OF THE STUDY

Acute central nervous system viral infections are progressive and inflammatory diseases with inflammatory cells infiltrating into the central nervous system (CNS), and thyroid hormone (TH) level is associated with the oxidative and antioxidant status. Variations in oxidative stress and antioxidant status are related to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Our study aimed to investigate the possible correlation between viral infections in CNS and TH levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4) and free triiodothyronine (fT3).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We measured serum concentrations of TSH, fT4, and fT3 in 206 individuals, including 59 viral meningitis (VM) patients, 60 viral encephalitis (VE) patients, and 87 healthy controls.

RESULTS

Our findings showed that VE and VM patients had lower levels of fT3 and higher levels of fT4 compared with healthy controls, whether male or female. Moreover, levels of TSH and fT3 in patients with viral infections in CNS were inversely correlated with disease prognosis measured by the Glasgow Outcome Scale.

CONCLUSIONS

Variations in TH level may represent the oxidative status and are surrogate biomarkers for disease prognosis of acute central nervous system viral infections.

Detection of Thyroid Abnormalities in Aquaporin-4 Antibody-Seropositive Optic Neuritis Patients

OBJECTIVE

This study retrospectively analyzed the frequency of anti-thyroid antibodies (ATAs) and thyroid disease in patients with optic neuritis (ON).

METHODS

Tests of serum thyroglobulin (TG) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and thyroid function were performed in 97 ON patients. Blood also was drawn to test for AQP4-Ab using cell-based and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Comparisons of the frequencies of ATAs, thyroid diseases and thyroid function were performed based on AQP4-Ab status.

RESULTS

Seropositive AQP4-Ab was found in 47/97 (48.5%) patients. ATA was considered positive in 34/97 (35.1%) patients. The prevalence of ATA was two times higher (P = 0.019) in the AQP4-Ab+ group compared to the AQP4-Ab- group. AQP4-Ab+ ON patients exhibited lower FT3 (P = 0.006) and FT4 (P = 0.025) levels and a higher prevalence of definite Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) (P = 0.005). Among AQP4-Ab+ patients, those with HT had a worse visual outcome than non-HT patients.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of ATAs and HT was found in AQP4-Ab+ ON patients, and AQP4-Ab+ patients with HT exhibited worse visual outcomes than non-HT patients.

Common and Rare Manifestations of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

The discovery of a highly specific biomarker of neuromyelitis optica (NMO)-the anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody-has opened new paths to understanding disease pathogenesis and afforded a way to confirm the diagnosis in clinical practice. An important consequence of the discovery is the broadening of the spectrum of syndromes seen in the context of AQP4 autoimmunity. These syndromes have been subsumed under the rubric of NMO spectrum disorder (NMOSD). The current classification recognizes not only optic neuritis and myelitis as core syndromes of NMOSD but also cerebral, diencephalic, brainstem, and area postrema syndromes. These neurologic syndromes are the focus of our review. AQP4 is also expressed in many organs outside of the central nervous system, and this may explain some of the unusual, non-neurologic features that have been occasionally reported in NMOSD. Our review catalogues non-neurologic manifestations seen in NMOSD and concludes with a discussion of frequently associated autoimmune and neoplastic comorbidities of NMOSD.

Thyroid hormone level is associated with the frequency and severity of acute transverse myelitis

Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is a progressive and autoimmune disease with inflammatory cell infiltrates into the spinal cord, and thyroid hormone (TH) level is associated with the oxidative and antioxidant status. Variations in oxidative stress and antioxidant levels are related to the pathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Our study aimed to investigate the possible correlation between ATM and TH levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and FT4/FT3. We measured serum concentrations of TSH, FT4, and FT3 in 205 individuals, including 42 ATM patients, 49 multiple sclerosis patients, and 114 healthy controls. Our findings show that ATM patients had lower levels of TSH and FT3 and higher levels of FT4 and FT4/FT3 compared with healthy controls, whether male or female. Moreover, levels of TSH and FT3 in patients with ATM were inversely correlated with disease severity measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Variations in TH level may represent the oxidative status and are surrogate biomarkers of the incidence and severity of ATM.

[Comorbid autoimmune pathology in patients treated with disease modifying drugs]

Because of intensive growth of the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune diseases (AID) during the last years, the comorbidity of MS and AID is not a rarity. In this literature review, the development of comorbid AID in patients with MS is considered to be the probable complication of disease modifying therapy with drugs of different groups. The authors present the own data on the prevalence of comorbid autoimmune pathology in patients with MS treated with disease modifying drugs.

Thyroid hormone level is associated with the frequency and severity of Guillain-Barré syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a neurodegenerative and inflammatory demyelination disorder, and oxidative stress is concerned with the pathogenesis of the disease. Also, we found that thyroid hormone level is correlated to the oxidative and antioxidant status in previous studies. Our study was aimed to find the possible relationship between the frequency and severity of GBS and thyroid hormone levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We measured serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT₄) and free triiodothyronine (FT₃) in 238 individuals, including 90 GBS, 44 multiple sclerosis and 104 healthy controls.

RESULTS

Our findings demonstrate that the patients with GBS had lower TSH and higher FT_4, FT₄/FT₃ than healthy controls in the normal range. Furthermore, it was also shown in our study that TSH levels in patients with GBS were correlated with disease severity measured by the Hughes Functional Grading Scale.

CONCLUSION

Lower TSH, higher FT₄ and FT₄/FT₃ stand for the oxidative status and are associated with the incidence and severity of GBS.

Initial serum thyroid peroxidase antibodies and long-term outcomes in SREAT

OBJECTIVE

To quantify clinical outcome in patients with steroid-responsive encephalopathy and associated autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT) after the acute phase and explore potential associations of initial serum thyroid peroxidase antibody titers (TPO-Abs) with outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with SREAT between 01/2005 and 05/2014 in a tertiary care center and followed in an affiliated autoimmune outpatient clinic. Outcome was quantified using the extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS-E). We calculated Pearson's correlation coefficients to quantify associations with clinical outcome at follow-up.

RESULTS

Among 134 patients with encephalopathy of unknown etiology, we identified 13 patients diagnosed with SREAT. In two patients, the diagnosis was revised at subsequent hospitalization (NMDA-R encephalitis and adult-onset Still's disease). The median follow-up time was 11 months, and the median GOS-E was 6 (range 3-8). Higher serum TPO-Ab-titers correlated with more favorable outcomes (Pearson coefficient 0.65, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

A correlation between TPO-Ab-titers and outcome has not been reported previously and challenges the notion of a mere bystander role of TPO-Abs in SREAT.

Aquaporin-4 autoimmunity

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and a related spectrum of inflammatory CNS disorders are unified by detection of a serum autoantibody specific for the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channel, which is abundant in astrocytic foot processes. The classic clinical manifestations of NMO are optic neuritis and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. Newly recognized manifestations of AQP4 autoimmunity include lesions of circumventricular organs and skeletal muscle. NMO is commonly relapsing, is frequently accompanied by other autoimmune disorders, and sometimes occurs in a paraneoplastic context. The goals of treatment are to minimize neurologic disability in the acute attack and thereafter to prevent relapses and cumulative disability. The disease specificity of AQP4 immunoglobulin (Ig) G approaches 100% using optimized molecular-based detection assays. Clinical, immunohistopathologic, and in vitro evidence support this antibody being central to NMO pathogenesis. Current animal models yield limited histopathologic characteristics of NMO, with no clinical deficits to date. Recent descriptions of a myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein autoantibody in a minority of patients with NMO spectrum phenotype who lack AQP4-IgG predict serologic delineation of additional distinctive disease entities.