title: Impaired Autonomic Responses to Emotional Stimuli in Autoimmune Limbic Encephalitis.
abstract: Limbic encephalitis (LE) is an autoimmune-mediated disorder that affects structures of the limbic system, in particular, the amygdala. The amygdala constitutes a brain area substantial for processing of emotional, especially fear-related signals. The amygdala is also involved in neuroendocrine and autonomic functions, including skin conductance responses (SCRs) to emotionally arousing stimuli. This study investigates behavioral and autonomic responses to discrete emotion evoking and neutral film clips in a patient suffering from LE associated with contactin-associated protein-2 (CASPR2) antibodies as compared to a healthy control group. Results show a lack of SCRs in the patient while watching the film clips, with significant differences compared to healthy controls in the case of fear-inducing videos. There was no comparable impairment in behavioral data (emotion report, valence, and arousal ratings). The results point to a defective modulation of sympathetic responses during emotional stimulation in patients with LE, probably due to impaired functioning of the amygdala.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster , Muenster , Germany.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schröder
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster , Muenster , Germany.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schriewer
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Muenster , Muenster , Germany.
authors.forename: Kristin S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Golombeck
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster , Muenster , Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kürten
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Muenster , Muenster , Germany.
authors.forename: Hubertus
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lohmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Muenster , Muenster , Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfram
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schwindt
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Muenster , Muenster , Germany.
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wiendl
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster , Muenster , Germany.
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruchmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Muenster , Muenster , Germany.
authors.forename: Nico
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Melzer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster , Muenster , Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Straube
keywords: amygdala; dynamic stimulus material; emotion processing; limbic encephalitis; skin conductance