Geochronology of Betula extensions in pollen diagrams of Alpine Late-glacial lake deposits: A case study of the Late-Glacial deposits of the Gasserplatz soil archives (Vorarlberg, Austria)

Pollen diagrams of Alpine Late-glacial calcareous lake deposits show several extensions of Betula. The geochronology of these extensions cannot be based on radiocarbon dating due to reservoir effects of such lakes on the radiocarbon ages. A robust geochronology can be based on the oxygen isotope stratigraphy. Additionally, recognition of 12,920 calBP LST in the sediment cores provides a secure time marker. The combined results of pollen, macro-remains and stable isotope analyses of the Gasserplatz cores point to a correlation of the Betula extensions with the oscillations in the oxygen isotope curve and are related to global climatic oscillations. This is sustained by the correlation of the Gasserplatz isotope oscillations with the oscillations as registered in the Greenland ice cores. Comparison of the results of the Gasserplatz cores with the results of similar Alpine lake deposits makes clear that the fluctuations in the Betula curve are not a local but a regional phenomenon

Antibodies Associated With Autoimmune Encephalitis in Patients With Presumed Neurodegenerative Dementia

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) may present with prominent cognitive disturbances without overt inflammatory changes in MRI and CSF. Identification of these neurodegenerative dementia diagnosis mimics is important because patients generally respond to immunotherapy. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of neuronal antibodies in patients with presumed neurodegenerative dementia and describe the clinical characteristics of the patients with neuronal antibodies. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, 920 patients were included with neurodegenerative dementia diagnosis from established cohorts at 2 large Dutch academic memory clinics. In total, 1,398 samples were tested (both CSF and serum in 478 patients) using immunohistochemistry (IHC), cell-based assays (CBA), and live hippocampal cell cultures (LN). To ascertain specificity and prevent false positive results, samples had to test positive by at least 2 different research techniques. Clinical data were retrieved from patient files. RESULTS: Neuronal antibodies were detected in 7 patients (0.8%), including anti-IgLON5 (n = 3), anti-LGI1 (n = 2), anti-DPPX, and anti-NMDAR. Clinical symptoms atypical for neurodegenerative diseases were identified in all 7 and included subacute deterioration (n = 3), myoclonus (n = 2), a history of autoimmune disease (n = 2), a fluctuating disease course (n = 1), and epileptic seizures (n = 1). In this cohort, no patients with antibodies fulfilled the criteria for rapidly progressive dementia (RPD), yet a subacute deterioration was reported in 3 patients later in the disease course. Brain MRI of none of the patients demonstrated abnormalities suggestive for AIE. CSF pleocytosis was found in 1 patient, considered as an atypical sign for neurodegenerative diseases. Compared with patients without neuronal antibodies (4 per antibody-positive patient), atypical clinical signs for neurodegenerative diseases were seen more frequently among the patients with antibodies (100% vs 21%, p = 0.0003), especially a subacute deterioration or fluctuating course (57% vs 7%, p = 0.009). DISCUSSION: A small, but clinically relevant proportion of patients suspected to have neurodegenerative dementias have neuronal antibodies indicative of AIE and might benefit from immunotherapy. In patients with atypical signs for neurodegenerative diseases, clinicians should consider neuronal antibody testing. Physicians should keep in mind the clinical phenotype and confirmation of positive test results to avoid false positive results and administration of potential harmful therapy for the wrong indication