ongoing research

[kim]

Anyone have access to give us an idea if there is any new info here?

 

accepted Jan 2009

 

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal...=1&SRETRY=0

 

Immunopathogenic mechanisms in tourette syndrome: A critical review

 

Important methodological differences might account for some inconsistency among results of studies addressing autoantibodies in TS. Finally, a general predisposition to autoimmune responses in TS patients is indicated by the reduced frequency of regulatory T cells, which induce tolerance towards self-antigens.

[Mustang Carole]

HI,

My Holistic Dr says to pay close attention to studies and articles outside the U.S. that are not pharma driven...

 

Here we go Kimster>>>>>>>>>>

 

Review

Immunopathogenic mechanisms in tourette syndrome: A critical review

Davide Martino, MD, PhD 1 *, Russell C. Dale, MRCPCH, PhD 2, Donald L. Gilbert, MD, MS 3, Gavin Giovannoni, MBBCh, PhD 4, James F. Leckman, MD 5

1Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, University of Bari, Bari, Italy

2Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Children's Hospital at Westmead, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

3Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, The University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

4Queen Mary University London, Neuroimmunology Unit, Neuroscience Centre, Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, United Kingdom

5Departments of Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Psychology, Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

 

email: Davide Martino (davidemartino@virgilio.it)

 

*Correspondence to Davide Martino, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, I-70124 Bari, Italy

 

Potential conflict of interest: None reported.

 

Keywords

group A beta haemolytic Streptococcus; tic • tourette syndrome • autoimmunity • antineuronal antibodies

 

 

Abstract

Tourette syndrome (TS) has a multifactorial etiology, in which genetic, environmental, immunological and hormonal factors interact to establish vulnerability. This review: (i) summarizes research exploring the exposure of TS patients to immune-activating environmental factors, and (ii) focuses on recent findings supporting a role of the innate and adaptive immune systems in the pathogenesis of TS and related disorders. A higher exposure prior to disease onset to group A -haemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) infections in children with tics and obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms has been documented, although their influence upon the course of disease remains uncertain. Increased activation of immune responses in TS is suggested by changes in gene expression profiles of peripheral immune cells, relative frequency of lymphocyte subpopulations, and synthesis of immune effector molecules. Increased activity of cell-mediated mechanisms is suggested by the increased expression of genes controlling natural killer and cytotoxic T cells, increased plasma levels of some pro-inflammatory cytokines which correlate with disease severity, and increased synthesis of antineuronal antibodies. Important methodological differences might account for some inconsistency among results of studies addressing autoantibodies in TS. Finally, a general predisposition to autoimmune responses in TS patients is indicated by the reduced frequency of regulatory T cells, which induce tolerance towards self-antigens. Although the pathogenic role of immune activation in TS has not been definitively proven, a pathophysiological model is proposed to explain the possible effect of immunity upon dopamine transmission regulation and the generation of tics. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society

 

 

 

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