Long-term persistence of vaccine-derived aluminum hydroxide is associated with chronic cognitive dysfunction.
Macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF) is an emerging condition, characterized by specific muscle lesions assessing long-term persistence of aluminum hydroxide within macrophages at the site of previous immunization. Affected patients mainly complain of arthromyalgias, chronic fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. We designed a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests to prospectively delineate MMF-associated cognitive dysfunction (MACD). Compared to control patients with arthritis and chronic pain, MMF patients had pronounced and specific cognitive impairment. MACD mainly affected (i) both visual and verbal memory; (ii) executive functions, including attention, working memory, and planning; and (iii) left ear extinction at dichotic listening test. Cognitive deficits did not correlate with pain, fatigue, depression, or disease duration. Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying MACD remain to be determined. In conclusion, long-term persistence of vaccine-derived aluminum hydroxide within the body assessed by MMF is associated with cognitive dysfunction, not solely due to chronic pain, fatigue and depression.
Couette
Maryline
M
INSERM, Unite U955, Team 1, Creteil F-94010, France.
Boisse
Marie-Françoise
MF
Maison
Patrick
P
Brugieres
Pierre
P
Cesaro
Pierre
P
Chevalier
Xavier
X
Gherardi
Romain K
RK
Bachoud-Levi
Anne-Catherine
AC
Authier
François-Jérôme
FJ
D000328:Adult; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014612:Vaccines; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide