Neuronal Antibodies and Electrophysiology
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Electrophysiological effects of anti-neuronal-surface antibodies
IRAS ID
232366
Contact name
Belinda Lennox
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford / Clinical Trials and Research Governance
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
n/a, n/a
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 12 months, 0 days
Research summary
The body’s immune system produces molecules called antibodies, which recognise disease-causing organisms such as bacteria or viruses and marks them for attack by other cells. However, sometimes the immune system can accidentally produce antibodies which recognise the body itself, leading to autoimmune disease.\n\nOne set of autoimmune disease that has only recently been described is autoimmune encephalitis. ‘Encephalitis’ means ‘inflammation of the brain’, and these diseases occur when antibodies which stick to molecules on the surface of nerve cells (neurons) enter the brain and cause an immune response. The symptoms of this disease include psychiatric problems, movement disorders and seizures, and can result in coma and death. Some people who have psychiatric illness also have these antibodies in their body, and at a higher rate than the normal population. It is thought that the antibodies might cause psychiatric illness in some patients.\n\nThese antibodies recognise receptors on the surface of neurons, which are the same molecules targeted by many drugs used recreationally, and to treat mental illness. As well as causing an immune reaction, the antibodies can change the way these receptors work. It is thought that this is how they cause psychiatric problems.\n\nOne way of investigating both psychiatric problems and changes in the function of neuronal receptors is to use EEG. In this method, very sensitive detectors measure the tiny electrical signals produced by neurons as they work. We already know a lot about how the EEG signals can change in psychiatric illness, or under the influence of drugs. The purpose of this study is to see if and how these antibodies can change the EEG signals in people who carry them, by collecting EEG data from people who do and do not carry the antibodies.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/YH/0090
Date of REC Opinion
26 Sep 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion