Biological markers for CNS damage in a patient cohort with suspected autoimmune psychiatric disease

• Background: This study describes the prevalence of CNS damage biomarkers and other CNS pathology in a psychiatric patient cohort enriched for clinical red flags of suspected autoimmune psychiatric disease. The study further explores how CNS damage biomarkers relate to clinical red flags and psychiatric features. Methods: 127 patients were included in the study. A routine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was performed and anti-neuronal antibodies were measured.  CNS damage biomarkers (neurofilament light chain protein (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAp) and total Tau (t-Tau)) in CSF were related to proposed clinical red flags for autoimmune psychiatric disease, other psychiatric features and MRI and EEG findings. Results: Twenty-seven per cent had elevated levels of CNS damage biomarkers and 21% had basic CSF analysis alterations. Six per cent had anti-neuronal antibodies in serum and 2% in CSF. Fifty percent of patients examined with MRI (n=88) had signs of atrophy and 41% had white matter changes. Twenty-five percent of patients with EEG recordings (n=70) had pathological EEG findings. Elevated NfL, GFAp and t-Tau levels were associated with the presence of clinical red flags. Elevated GFAp and t-Tau were also associated with higher psychiatric symptom ratings.Conclusions: Pre-selection based on clinical red flags for autoimmune psychiatric disease identifies a population where 27% have CSF signs of CNS tissue damage, 21% have CSF alterations suggesting neuroinflammation or blood-brain barrier dysfunction and 6% have anti-neuronal antibodies. Moreover, pathological levels of NfL, GFAp or t-Tau in CSF may be related to distinctive red flags and patterns of psychiatric manifestations. 

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

CNS damage biomarkers

human

psychiatry

autoimmunity

NfL

GFAp

Tau

CSF

antibodies

Psychiatry

Psykiatri

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)