Authors: Mandy Busse Ralf Kunschmann Henrik Dobrowolny Jessica Hoffmann Bernhard Bogerts Johann Steiner Thomas Frodl Stefan Busse
Publish Date: 2017/02/08
Volume: 268, Issue: 5, Pages: 483-492
Abstract
NMethyldaspartate glutamate receptor NMDAR antibodies Abs could play a role in neurodegenerative disorders Since in these diseases NMDAR Abs were detected in serum but only sporadic in cerebrospinal fluid CSF the origin and impact of the Abs are still unresolved We examined the presence of NMDAR Abs in serum and CSF using a cellbased immunofluorescence assay as well as the function of the bloodCSFbarrier BCSFB by determination of Q albumin ratio of albumin in CSF and serum in patients with mild cognitive impairment MCI N = 59 and different types of dementia Alzheimer’s disease AD N = 156 subcortical ischemic vascular dementia SIVD N = 61 and frontotemporal dementia FTD N = 34 Serum IgA/IgM NMDAR Abs and/or a disturbed BCSFB were sporadically present in all investigated patients’ groups In AD these Abs often developed during the disease course Patients with either no hippocampal atrophy and/or no ADrelated characteristic changes in CSF referred to “nonclassical” AD were characterized by seropositivity at diagnosis and loss of function of the BCSFB showed a progressive decline in cognitive functions and a poor prognosis Our data indicate that NMDAR Abs are present in different types of dementia and elderly healthy individuals In combination with disturbed BCSFB integrity they seem to promote their pathological potential on cognitive decline and thus a subgroup of dementia patients with these unique characteristics might inform clinicians
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