Immunophenotyping in Tourette syndrome--a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The cause of Tourette syndrome (TS) is not precisely known, although several lines of evidence point at an involvement of the immune system in its pathogenesis.


RESULTS
Here, we report the results of a pilot study investigating frequently analysed lymphocyte surface markers in 20 adult patients with TS (16 males; 37.3 +/- 15.8 years) and 20 matched controls (16 males; 37.5 +/- 15.3 years). Statistical analysis revealed significant differences for the investigated lymphocyte surface markers. The difference in CD69+/CD22+-B cells (23.0 +/- 10.5% vs. 13.1 +/- 6.1%; P = 0.001) and in CD95+/CD4+-T cells (41.5 +/- 12.1% vs. 24.6 +/- 10.0%; P = 0.0001) was still significant after Bonferroni-Holm correction.


CONCLUSIONS
Our preliminary data indicate that TS may be associated with an increased peripheral immune activity.
Möller
J C
JC
Department of Neurology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany. carsten.moeller@med.uni-marburg.de <carsten.moeller@med.uni-marburg.de>
Tackenberg
B
B
Heinzel-Gutenbrunner
M
M
Burmester
R
R
Oertel
W H
WH
Bandmann
O
O
Müller-Vahl
K R
KR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD