Title: Autoimmune causes of mental illness – how firm is the evidence?
Speaker: Belinda Lennox, United Kingdom
Outline: There are many lines of evidence to suggest that a proportion of psychosis has an autoimmune basis however there have not been any biomarkers to identify individuals that might benefit from immune modifying treatments. This has potentially changed with the discovery of neuronal cell surface antibodies, that are considered pathogenic in patients with limbic encephalitis, often with prominent psychiatric symptoms – removal of the antibody results in clinical improvement and often remission. However the relevance of the same antibodies in patients with purely psychiatric presentations is more controversial and screening for antibodies, and treatment when they are detected, is not readily available. I will discuss the current level of evidence and present ongoing research that is trying to address this uncertainty.
PsychX webinar series: Mental health expertise should be readily available to all. PsychX conducts monthly sessions, fostering short and interactive discussions focused on translational neuroscience. This webinar series is organised by the ECNP PsychX Programme Committee.
This online series provides valuable insights for researchers and clinicians while promoting networking opportunities within the professional community.
