Abstract

Tourette syndrome (TS) is currently hypothesized to be the result of genetic and immunological components. This study investigated whether TS subjects produce IgG and IgA antibodies that bind to caudate nucleus, hippocampus, frontal cortex, cerebellum, thalamus, globus pallidus interior, exterior and putamen. Thirty- two children (14 TS, 7 family control, and 11 non-family control) and thirty-nine adults (11 TS, 14 family control, and 14 non-family control) were studied. Immunofluorescent studies were performed on basal ganglia tissue using serum from TS children and their family members. Brain antigens were prepared as two fractions (supernatant and pellet) and used as targets for ELISA. The pellet from putamen was further separated into molecular weight fractions. Fractions were subsequently used as targets for ELISA.

Immunofluorescent staining showed that TS subjects (children and adults) have increased binding of serum IgG and IgA to basal ganglia tissue compared to family controls. In the child population ELISA results from brain homogenates showed significant differences (p < 0.05) that were seen in the pellet fractions of thalamus and globus pallidus exterior and the supernatant fractions of the frontal cortex and caudate nucleus with the IgG antibody. The differences showed that non-family control children had higher binding affinity than TS and family control children. Assays using serum IgA from TS, family control, and non-family control children failed to show significant differences using brain homogenates from various areas. In the analysis of the molecular-sieved putamen fractions significant differences (p < 0.05) were limited to 69kDa with the IgG antibody and no statistically significant differences were found using the IgA antibody.

In the adult population ELISA results using serum IgG and IgA from TS, family control, and non-family control adults failed to show significant binding differences between groups using brain homogenates. In the analysis of the molecular-sieved putamen fractions significant differences (p < 0.05) were limited to 69kDa with the IgG antibody and no statistically significant differences were found using the IgA antibody.

LLU Discipline

Anatomy

Department

Anatomy

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Boleslaw H. Liwnicz

Second Advisor

Michael A. Kirby

Third Advisor

Sandra L. Nehlsen-Cannarella

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

2001

Date (Title Page)

3-2001

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Tourette Syndrome -- immunology; Immune System.

Type

Thesis

Page Count

xiii; 64

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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