Altered Structural Brain Networks Related to Adrenergic/Muscarinic Receptor Autoantibodies in CFS, 2020, Fujii, Sato, Yamamura et al

[Andy]

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Recent studies suggest that the autoantibodies against adrenergic/muscarinic receptors might be one of the causes and potential markers of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the structural network changes related to autoantibody titers against adrenergic/muscarinic receptors in ME/CFS by performing a single‐subject gray matter similarity‐based structural network analysis.

METHODS
We prospectively examined 89 consecutive right‐handed ME/CFS patients who underwent both brain MRI including 3D T1‐wighted images and a blood analysis of autoantibodies titers against β1 adrenergic receptor (β1 AdR‐Ab), β2 AdR‐Ab, M3 acetylcholine receptor (M3 AchR‐Ab), and M4 AchR‐Ab. Single‐subject gray matter similarity‐based structural networks were extracted from segmented gray matter images for each patient. We calculated local network properties (betweenness centrality, clustering coefficient, and characteristic path length) and global network properties (normalized path length λ, normalized clustering coefficient γ, and small‐world network value δ). We investigated the correlations between the autoantibody titers and regional gray matter/white matter volumes, the local network properties, and the global network properties.

RESULTS
Betweenness centrality showed a significant positive correlation with β1‐AdR‐Ab in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The characteristic path length showed a significant negative correlation with β2‐AdR‐Ab in the right precentral gyrus. There were no significant correlations between the antibody titers and the regional gray matter/white matter volumes, and the global network properties.

CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that β1 AdR‐Ab and β2 AdR‐Ab are potential markers of ME/CFS.

Paywall, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jon.12751
Sci hub, https://sci-hub.tw/10.1111/jon.12751

 

[Hutan]

Looks a bit dodgy on a skim read.
Quotes approvingly a 2008 study that found this:

In addition, ME/CFS patients showed a significant increase in their DLPFC gray matter volume after cognitive behavioral therapy, with significant improvements in their health status, physical activity, and cognitive performance.

I can't see how this 2020 study reaches its conclusion i.e.

Our findings suggest that β1 AdR‐Ab and β2 AdR‐Ab are potential markers of ME/CFS.

But I'm tired. Hopefully someone else can explain things.

Edited to add conclusion quote to clarify

 

[Grigor]

Looks a bit dodgy on a skim read.
Quotes approvingly a 2008 study that found this:


I can't see how this 2020 study reaches the conclusion. But I'm tired. Hopefully someone else can explain things.

Excellent response by a psychologist on that 2008 study:

https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/132/6/e110/322958

 

[SNT Gatchaman]

The sci-hub link in the initial post is defunct. https://sci-hub.mksa.top/10.1111/jon.12751 worked for me. However, I have posted that host previously and at least one person received a warning that it was a phishing* site. I personally think that's a false alarm and haven't had trouble with the site. It's possible it may be deliberately flagged as part of the great war of the copyrights. But caveat emptor.

* You're only entering the paper's DOI, so it's hard to see how it could be phishing for your personal information.