Abstract
Aim: To investigate the association between circulating anti-dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) autoantibodies and the exacerbation of tics in children with chronic tic disorders (CTDs). Method: One hundred and thirty-seven children with CTDs (108 males, 29 females; mean age [SD] 10y 0mo [2y 7mo], range 4–16y) were recruited over 18 months. Patients were assessed at baseline, at tic exacerbation, and at 2 months after exacerbation. Serum anti-D2R antibodies were evaluated using a cell-based assay and blinded immunofluorescence microscopy scoring was performed by two raters. The association between visit type and presence of anti-D2R antibodies was measured with McNemar’s test and repeated-measure logistic regression models, adjusting for potential demographic and clinical confounders. Results: At exacerbation, 11 (8%) participants became anti-D2R-positive (‘early peri-exacerbation seroconverters’), and nine (6.6%) became anti-D2R-positive at post-exacerbation (‘late peri-exacerbation seroconverters’). The anti-D2R antibodies were significantly associated with exacerbations when compared to baseline (McNemar’s odds ratio=11, p=0.003) and conditional logistic regression confirmed this association (Z=3.49, p<0.001) after adjustment for demographic and clinical data and use of psychotropic drugs. Interpretation: There is a potential association between immune mechanisms and the severity course of tics in adolescents with CTDs.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 10 |
Pages (from-to) | 1205-1212 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISSN | 0012-1622 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 01.10.2020 |
Research Areas and Centers
- Academic Focus: Center for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM)