6 research outputs found
Increased serum levels of NMDA receptor antibodies in female patients with bipolar disorder
Objective: Glutamatergic/GABAergic imbalance due to
autoimmune antibodies targeting N-methyl-D-aspartate
receptors (NMDA-R) is considered to be one of the
shared pathways between bipolar disorder (BD) and
autoimmune diseases. Evidence shows female vulnerability to autoimmune disorders, and suggests a sex-specific approach in autoimmunity research in BD. We
aimed to assess serum concentrations of NMDA-R antibodies and density of NMDA and GABA receptors on
platelets in euthymic patients with BD in comparison to
healthy individuals; and to determine the impact of sex
on serum concentrations of NMDA-R antibodies and the
density of NMDA and GABA receptors on platelets.
Method: NMDA antibody IgG were detected in serum
samples of 27 DSM IV euthymic patients with bipolar
disorder (16 females, 11 males) and 33 healthy individuals (17 females, 16 males), using ELISA method. The densities of NMDA and GABA receptors on platelets were
investigated using immunocytochemical methods.
Results: Patients with BD presented higher serum levels
of NMDA-R antibodies in comparison to healthy individuals (p<0.001). The densities of NMDA and GABA
receptor on platelets were similar in both groups. The
NMDA-R antibody levels were influenced by both diagnosis and sex (F=5.813, df=1, p =0.020). Tserum lithium
levels showed a significant linear association with the
serum NMDA-R antibody levels even adjusting for age,
sex, body mass index (F=-56.26, t=-2.52, p = 0.015, CI:
-101.12/-11.40). Discussion: Our findings support a
potential role of NMDA-R antibodies in the underlying
pathophysiology of BD, particularly for females