High levels of Anti-GAD65 and Anti-Ro52 autoantibodies in a patient with major depressive disorder showing psychomotor disturbance

Autoimmune disease and/or autoantibodies have been reported in mood disorder patients. We screened for autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65), thyroid peroxidase (TPO), gastric H+/K+ ATPase (ATP4B), and Ro52 in a psychiatric patient cohort. A 24-year-old woman with major depressive disorder (MOD) with reduced psychomotor activity was identified with unusually high serum GAD65 and Ro52 autoantibody titers. Anti-GAD65 and anti-Ro52 autoantibodies were also elevated in the CSF from this patient. Longitudinal examination revealed a four-fold increase in anti-GAD65 serum antibody titers which correlated with exacerbation of psychomotor symptomatology. These results suggest the possibility that CNS autoimmunity may be responsible for the psychomotor impairment in this MOD patient. Published by Elsevier B.V.