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Ricarte IF, Dutra LA, Rodrigues DLG, Barsottini OGP, de Souza AW, Carrete H, Massaud APS, Andrade D, Mangueira CLP, Sampaio Silva G. Cerebrovascular disease in patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: a transcranial Doppler and magnetic resonance imaging study. Rheumatol Adv Pract 2024; 8:rkae060. [PMID: 38800574 PMCID: PMC11127108 DOI: 10.1093/rap/rkae060] [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: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Transcranial Doppler (TCD) and brain MRI may be useful in evaluating patients with APS, helping to stratify the risk of cerebrovascular ischaemic events in this population. This study aimed to assess the frequency of brain MRI abnormalities in patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome, secondary antiphospholipid syndrome and SLE and correlate to TCD findings. Methods The study, conducted over four years at two autoimmune disease referral centres, included 22 primary antiphospholipid syndrome patients, 24 secondary antiphospholipid syndrome patients, 27 SLE patients without APS and 21 healthy controls. All participants underwent TCD to assess cerebral haemodynamics, detect microembolic signals and evaluate right-to-left shunts, followed by brain MRI and magnetic resonance angiography. MRI scans were reviewed for acute microembolism, localized cortical infarctions, border infarctions, lacunar infarctions, ischaemic lesions, white matter hyperintensity, micro and macro haemorrhages and arterial stenosis ≥50% of the cervical carotid artery, by two neuroradiologists blinded to the clinical data. Results Brain MRI findings were similar between the groups, except for lacunar infarction, more frequent in patients with secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (P = 0.022). Patients with intracranial stenosis detected by TCD had a higher frequency of territorial infarction (40% vs 7.5%, P = 0.02), lacunar (40% vs 11.3%, P = 0.075) and border zone infarcts (20% vs 1.9%, P = 0.034). Conclusions Patients with intracranial stenosis presented a higher frequency of territorial, lacunar and border zone infarcts, suggesting that evaluating the intracranial vasculature should not be neglected in patients with APS and stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irapuá Ferreira Ricarte
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lívia Almeida Dutra
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Alexandre Wagner de Souza
- Rheumatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Henrique Carrete
- Department of Radiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Danieli Andrade
- Rheumatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Gisele Sampaio Silva
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
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Porey C, Jaiswal BK. Isolated intracranial hypertension without cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in APLA syndrome: an unique association. Int J Neurosci 2023:1-4. [PMID: 37855591 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2023.2273764] [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: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antiphospholipid antibody (APLA) syndrome is an autoimmune disorder predisposing to thrombotic complications affecting CNS either by arterial vaso occlusion or venous thrombosis. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) secondarily produces raised intracranial pressure (ICP). However intracranial hypertension without evidence of CVST is rare entity. CASE PRESENTATION We present two cases of elevated ICP with absence of identifiable CVST. Case 1, a 28-year-old female presented with a 2 months history of headache followed by bilateral vision loss. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure and fundoscopy along with Contrast Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was suggestive of Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and patient improved with acetazolamide. 5 months later she presented with acute onset right sided hemiparesis. MRI showed acute left Middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory infarct with normal contrast Magnetic resonance venography (MRV). Anti-cardiolipin and Beta 2 glycoprotein (both IgG and IgM) titres were elevated. Case 2, a 23-year-old female presented with headache and diplopia of 2 months duration. Based on CSF, fundoscopy and contrast MRI brain was diagnosed as IIH and she too responded to diuretics. 2 years later she presented with recurrence of headache and APLA profile showed elevated beta 2 glycoprotein IgG and IgA. CONCLUSION This is an important non thrombotic complication of APLA syndrome and requires further large-scale study for insight into the pathogenesis and early recognition to avoid future complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camelia Porey
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
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Emerson JS, Gruenewald SM, Gomes L, Lin MW, Swaminathan S. The conundrum of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus: Current and novel approaches to diagnosis. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1111769. [PMID: 37025200 PMCID: PMC10070984 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1111769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recognising neuropsychiatric involvement by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is of growing importance, however many barriers to this exist at multiple levels of our currently available diagnostic algorithms that may ultimately delay its diagnosis and subsequent treatment. The heterogeneous and non-specific clinical syndromes, serological and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers and neuroimaging findings that often do not mirror disease activity, highlight important research gaps in the diagnosis of neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE). Formal neuropsychological assessments or the more accessible screening metrics may also help improve objective recognition of cognitive or mood disorders. Novel serum and CSF markers, including autoantibodies, cytokines and chemokines have also shown increasing utility as part of diagnosis and monitoring, as well as in distinguishing NPSLE from SLE patients without SLE-related neuropsychiatric manifestations. Novel neuroimaging studies also expand upon our existing strategy by quantifying parameters that indicate microarchitectural integrity or provide an assessment of neuronal function. Some of these novel markers have shown associations with specific neuropsychiatric syndromes, suggesting that future research move away from considering NPSLE as a single entity but rather into its individually recognized neuropsychiatric manifestations. Nevertheless, it is likely that a composite panel of these investigations will be needed to better address the gaps impeding recognition of neuropsychiatric involvement by SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S. Emerson
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Jonathan S. Emerson,
| | - Simon M. Gruenewald
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, PET and Ultrasound, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lavier Gomes
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Radiology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ming-Wei Lin
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sanjay Swaminathan
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Guest PC, Neyazi A, Braun-Dullaeus RC, Müller P, Schreiber J, Haghikia A, Vasilevska V, Steiner J. A Molecular Biomarker-Based Triage Approach for Targeted Treatment of Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Patients with Persistent Neurological or Neuropsychiatric Symptoms. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1412:97-115. [PMID: 37378763 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-28012-2_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 30% of COVID-19 cases may experience chronic symptoms, known as post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). Common PCS symptoms can include fatigue, cognitive impairment, and persistent physical, neurological, and neuropsychiatric complaints. To improve healthcare and management of the current and future pandemics, we highlight the need for establishing interdisciplinary post-viral outpatient clinics comprised of specialists in fields such as psychiatry, psychotherapy, neurology, cardiology, pneumology, and immunology. In this way, PCS patients with a high health burden can receive modern diagnostics and targeted therapeutic recommendations. A key objective is to distinguish the "sick recovered" from the "healthy recovered." Our hypothesis is that there is a PCS subgroup with autoimmune-mediated systemic and brain-vascular dysregulation, which may lead to circulatory disorders, fatigue, cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety. This can be clarified using a combination of specific antibody diagnostics and precise clinical, psychological, and apparative testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C Guest
- Laboratory of Neuroproteomics, Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
- Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Alexandra Neyazi
- Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rüdiger C Braun-Dullaeus
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Medical Care, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Medical Care, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZP), Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Germany
| | - Jens Schreiber
- Department of Pneumology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Aiden Haghikia
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Veronika Vasilevska
- Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Johann Steiner
- Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
- German Center for Mental Health (DZP), Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Germany.
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany.
- Center for Health and Medical Prevention (CHaMP), Magdeburg, Germany.
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Neurologic Manifestations of Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2022; 22:589-600. [PMID: 36040563 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-022-01228-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Understanding of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), associated neurological manifestations, and disease-directed treatment has grown considerably over the last decade. Herein, we critically review the current and high-yield literature related to the pathophysiology, neurological presentations, and management of APS with particular emphasis on the rare and more fatal subset of APS, catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS). RECENT FINDINGS APS may manifest with a variety of neurologic syndromes, with cerebrovascular disease representing the most commonly encountered presentation. Diagnostic evaluation and treatment are often tailored to the specific presentation, with suspicion and testing for antiphospholipid antibodies recommended when neurologic presentations occur atypically or in younger individuals. In CAPS, which is more rapidly progressive with multiorgan involvement, potential alternative microangiopathic syndromes should be carefully considered in the differential diagnosis. To date, anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists remains the mainstay of therapy in APS while triple therapy with anticoagulation, corticosteroids, and plasma exchange is standard of care in CAPS. Immunotherapy has shown early promise in refractory cases. APS is an autoimmune clinical syndrome with neurologic presentations classically characterized by vascular thrombosis, though recent understandings suggest additional direct immune-mediated phenomena. Our understanding of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of APS continues to grow and will continue to influence our therapeutic approaches.
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Yan H, Li B, Su R, Gao C, Li X, Wang C. Preliminary Study on the Imbalance Between Th17 and Regulatory T Cells in Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Front Immunol 2022; 13:873644. [PMID: 35603166 PMCID: PMC9121099 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.873644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivePatients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) have immune cell abnormalities that remain poorly understood. This study compared primary APS (PAPS) and secondary APS (SAPS) patients with healthy controls with respect to peripheral blood lymphocytes, CD4+T cell subsets, and cytokine levels. The correlation between antiphospholipid antibody titres and T helper 17 (Th17) and T regulatory (Treg) cell subsets was also analyzed, together with the correlations between cytokine profiles and the clinical characteristics of APS patients.MethodsThe retrospective study population consisted of 67 APS patients (12 with PAPS, 55 with SAPS) and 40 healthy controls. Absolute numbers of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and CD4+ T cell subsets were detected by flow cytometry, and serum cytokine levels by flow cytometry bead array.ResultsPatients with SAPS had lower absolute values of T, B and CD4+T cells than the healthy control group, while only natural killer (NK) cell levels were decreased in patients with PAPS. Absolute numbers of T, B, NK, and CD4+T cells were significantly higher in the PAPS than SAPS group. The trends in CD4+T cell subsets were the same in PAPS and SAPS patients as in healthy controls, with increased Th1, decreased Th2, and decreased Treg levels, and thus an increased Th17/Treg ratio. Th2, Th17, and Treg cell counts were higher in the PAPS than SAPS group. Cytokine analysis showed that only IL-10 levels differed between the two APS groups. However, the levels of all of the studied cytokines were higher in APS patients than healthy controls, and correlated with the clinical characteristics of the patients. In the PAPS group, the titres of two autoantibodies correlated positively with the Th17/Treg ratio and negatively with the levels of D-dimer and Treg subsets.ConclusionsOur study clearly showed that APS patients have immune disturbances, the most prominent of which is an increase in the Th17/Treg ratio, due to a decrease in the number of Treg cells. These abnormalities may be involved in the occurrence and progression of APS. An additional finding was a higher level of peripheral blood lymphocytes in PAPS than SAPS patients, which may be related to the immunosuppressive treatment of SAPS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Yan
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Baochen Li
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Rui Su
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Chong Gao
- Pathology, Joint Program in Transfusion Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Caihong Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- *Correspondence: Caihong Wang,
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Corzo K, Farabi B, Lahoti L. The Link Between Frontotemporal Dementia and Autoimmunity: A Case Presentation and Literature Review. Cureus 2022; 14:e24617. [PMID: 35664381 PMCID: PMC9150603 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.24617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dementia disorders are an important public health issue and thus of particular clinical importance. Frontotemporal dementia, although less prevalent than Alzheimer’s disease, presents in a significant number of cases in younger populations. Yet, it is a comparatively rare disease process, with a low yearly incidence. Frontotemporal dementia remains an exciting and ever-evolving area of research with most recent studies investigating the role of inflammation in the degeneration pathognomonic of the disease. Here, we describe a case that highlights the connection between inflammation and neurodegeneration. Specifically, we examine a patient with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis and antiphospholipid syndrome who developed frontotemporal dementia, potentially as a result of the chronic inflammatory state.
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Cognitive Impairment in Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome and Anti-Phospholipid Antibody Carriers. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12020222. [PMID: 35203985 PMCID: PMC8870021 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12020222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is frequently reported among anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) patients as well as anti-phospholipid antibody (aPL) carriers, but it is less studied than other manifestations of this condition. Moreover, the exact prevalence of cognitive impairment in these patients has not been accurately determined, mainly due to inconsistency in the tools used to identify impairment, small sample sizes, and variability in the anti-phospholipid antibodies measured and positivity cutoffs. The notion of a direct pathogenic effect is supported by the observation that the higher the number of aPLs present and the higher the load of the specific antibody, the greater the risk of cognitive impairment. There is some evidence to suggest that besides the thrombotic process, inflammation-related pathways play a role in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment in APS. The cornerstone treatments of APS are anti-coagulant and anti-thrombotic medications. These treatments have shown some favorable effects in reversing cognitive impairment, but solid evidence for the efficacy and safety of these treatments in the context of cognitive impairment is still lacking. In this article, we review the current knowledge regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical associations, and treatment of cognitive impairment associated with APS and aPL positivity.
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