title: Altered monocyte activation markers in Tourette's syndrome: a case-control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infections and immunological processes are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of Tourette's syndrome (TS). To determine possible common underlying immunological mechanisms, we focused on innate immunity and studied markers of inflammation, monocytes, and monocyte-derived cytokines.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study, we used current methods to determine the number of monocytes and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in 46 children, adolescents, and adult patients suffering from TS and in 43 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 6 (IL-6), soluble CD14 (sCD14), IL1-receptor antagonist (IL1-ra), and serum neopterin were detected by immunoassays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that CRP and neopterin levels and the number of monocytes were significantly higher in TS patients than in healthy controls. Serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, sIL1-ra, and sCD14 were significantly lower in TS patients. All measured values were within normal ranges and often close to detection limits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present results point to a monocyte dysregulation in TS. This possible dysbalance in innate immunity could predispose to infections or autoimmune reactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Nussbaumstrasse 7, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matz
authors.forename: Daniela L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dehning
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riedel
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gruber
authors.forename: Markus J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D019798:Neopterin / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019798:Neopterin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein