Plasma Anti-Serotonin and Serotonin Anti-Idiotypic Antibodies Are Elevated in Panic Disorder

Abstract

The psychoneuroimmunology of panic disorder is relatively unexplored. Alterations within brain stress systems that secondarily influence the immune system have been documented. A recent report indicated elevations of serotonin (5-HT) and ganglioside antibodies in patients with primary fibromyalgia, a condition with documented associations with panic disorder. In line with our interest in dysregulated 5-HT systems in panic disorder (PD), we wished to assess if antibodies directed at the 5-HT system were elevated in patients with PD in comparison to healthy volunteers. Sixty-three patients with panic disorder and 26 healthy volunteers were diagnosed by the SCID. Employing ELISA, we measured anti-5-HT and 5-HT anti-idiotypic antibodies (which are directed at 5-HT receptors). To include all subjects in one experiment, three different batches were run during the ELISA. Plasma serotonin anti-idiotypic antibodies: there was a significant group effect [patients > controls (p = .007)] and batch effect but no interaction. The mean effect size for the three batches was .76. Following Z-score transformation of each separate batch and then combining all scores, patients demonstrated significantly elevated levels of plasma serotonin anti-idiotypic antibodies. Neither sex nor age as covariates affected the significance of the results. There was a strong correlation between anti-serotonin antibody and serotonin anti-idiotypic antibody measures. Plasma anti-serotonin antibodies: there was a significant diagnosis effect [patients > controls (p = .037)]. Mean effect size for the three batches was .52. Upon Z-score transformation, there was a diagnosis effect with antibody elevations in patients. Covaried for sex and age, the result falls below significance to trend levels. The data raise the possibility that psychoimmune dysfunction, specifically related to the 5-HT system, may be present in PD. Potential interruption of 5-HT neurotransmission through autoimmune mechanisms may be of pathophysiologic significance in certain patients with panic disorder. It remains to be demonstrated if the peripheral autoimmunity is representative of CNS 5-HT neuronal alterations. Replication appears warranted.

Association of Hepatitis C With Markers of Hemostasis In HIV-Infected and Uninfected Women in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS)

“…As other studies of clotting factors and related measures have observed and referred to as a “batch effect” 84–88 , we noted that all four hemostasis measures varied systematically by WIHS site / laboratory testing date of the sample units. As these previous studies concluded, this likely reflected differences in sample preparations and testing and were not of direct interest to the analysis; we thus adjusted for these WIHS site / laboratory test date “batch effects” when performing our analyses of markers of hemostasis in an approach analogous to age adjustment 89 .…”

Behavioral and neural effects of intra-striatal infusion of anti-streptococcal antibodies in rats

“…Dopaminergic and serotonergic drugs are used to treat motor and psychiatric symptoms, respectively, in patients affected by GAS-related neuropsychiatric disorders (Demiroren et al, 2007; Gabbay and Coffey, 2003; Moretti et al, 2008; Murphy et al, 2010; Swedo and Grant, 2005; Swedo et al, 1993). Finally, immunoreactivity to different components of the serotonergic system, such as serotonin and serotonin receptors, has been reported in sera from panic disorder and rheumatoid arthritis patients (Coplan et al, 1999; Maes et al, 2013; Schott et al, 2003; Tanaka et al, 2003), and sera from SC and PANDAS patients reacted with D1 and D2 receptors (Brimberg et al, 2012; Cox et al, 2013; Dale et al, 2012). Interestingly, Dale et al (2012) have recently found antibodies against surface D2 receptors in the sera of patients suffering from basal ganglia encephalitis, which is characterized by motor (including, parkinsonism, dystonia and chorea), and psychiatric symptoms (including, emotional lability, attention deficit and psychosis), which are also found in GAS-related neuropsychiatric disorders.…”

Peripheral Biomarkers in DSM-5 Anxiety Disorders: An Updated Overview

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