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Journal articles
In vivo effects of antibodies from patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: further evidence of synaptic glutamatergic dysfunction.
Abstract : BACKGROUND: A severe encephalitis that associates with auto-antibodies to the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor (NMDA-R) was recently reported. Patients' antibodies cause a decrease of the density of NMDA-R and synaptic mediated currents, but the in vivo effects on the extracellular glutamate and glutamatergic transmission are unknown. METHODS: We investigated the acute metabolic effects of patients' CSF and purified IgG injected in vivo. Injections were performed in CA1 area of Ammon's horn and in premotor cortex in rats. RESULTS: Patient's CSF increased the concentrations of glutamate in the extracellular space. The increase was dose-dependent and was dramatic with purified IgG. Patients' CSF impaired both the NMDA- and the AMPA-mediated synaptic regulation of glutamate, and did not affect the glial transport of glutamate. Blockade of GABA-A receptors was associated with a marked elevation of extra-cellular levels of glutamate following a pretreatment with patients' CSF. CONCLUSION: These results support a direct role of NMDA-R antibodies upon altering glutamatergic transmission. Furthermore, we provide additional evidence in vivo that NMDA-R antibodies deregulate the glutamatergic pathways and that the encephalitis associated with these antibodies is an auto-immune synaptic disorder.
Cited literature [27 references]
https://www.hal.inserm.fr/inserm-00670158
Contributor : Ed. Bmc <>
Submitted on : Tuesday, February 14, 2012 - 5:15:21 PM
Last modification on : Thursday, June 4, 2020 - 10:24:04 AM
Long-term archiving on: : Thursday, November 22, 2012 - 12:40:27 PM
Contributor : Ed. Bmc <>
Submitted on : Tuesday, February 14, 2012 - 5:15:21 PM
Last modification on : Thursday, June 4, 2020 - 10:24:04 AM
Long-term archiving on: : Thursday, November 22, 2012 - 12:40:27 PM