Autoantibodies to neurotransmitter receptors and ion channels: from neuromuscular to neuropsychiatric disorders.
Changes of voltage-gated ion channels and ligand-gated receptor channels caused by mutation or autoimmune attack are the cause of so-called channelopathies in the central and peripheral nervous system. We present the pathophysiology of channelopathies of the neuromuscular junction in terms of loss-of-function and gain-of-function principles. Autoantibodies generally have reduced access to the central nervous system, but in some cases this is enough to cause disease. A review is provided of recent findings implicating autoantibodies against ligand-activated receptor channels and potassium channels in psychiatric and neurological disorders, including schizophrenia and limbic encephalitis. The emergence of channelopathy-related neuropsychiatric disorders has implications for research and practice.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Maastricht, Netherlands.
Pilar
P
Martinez-Martinez
Peter C
PC
Molenaar
Mario
M
Losen
Jo
J
Stevens
Marc H De
MH
Baets
Andrei
A
Szoke
Jerome
J
Honnorat
Ryad
R
Tamouza
Marion
M
Leboyer
Jim Van
JV
Os
Bart P F
BP
Rutten
AMPA receptor; Caspr2; GABA receptor; Lgi1; NMDA receptor; acetylcholine receptor; glycine receptor; potassium channel