Autoinmmunity in mental disorders: An association known pending development

• Published in: European psychiatry Vol. 33; p. S721
• Main Authors: Lazaro, Y, Mesian, I, Perez, A, Baena, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Masson SAS 01.03.2016
• Subjects: Internal Medicine; Psychiatry
• ISSN: 0924-9338; 1778-3585
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.2150

Introduction In the last century, several studies have confirmed the association between schizophrenia and autoimmunity in the patients as well as in their family. This fact has important implications because of the high prevalence of immune disorders in the population, which has been estimated to be about 20%. Objectives Analyze a clinical case which suggests autoimmunity as a potential cause for developing schizophrenia. Aims To point out the need to conduct further research in the field of neurobiology of mental diseases to possibly find a new line of treatment. Methods A 28-year-old woman with no previous history of mental illness, diagnosed at age eight with celiac disorder. Mother affected by Grave's disease. Paternal uncle diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The first contact with psychiatry took place in 2005 in the emergency room, being diagnosed with a psychotic episode. Due to her family history of autoinmunity she had regular follow-up, which enabled the control of three later new psychotic episodes (2008, 2009, 2012) on an outpatient basis. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2014, she is currently stable with antipsychotic drugs. Results This case illustrates the importance of keeping in mind autoimmunity history in development and prognosis of mental disorders. Conclusions Although symptoms of schizophrenia are well known, there is still a great deal to be discovered in its enterity. Progress in the knowledge of pathophysiology may open new lines of treatment, which can provide a better one and thus, a better prognosis [1].