Schröder Olga, Schriewer Elisabeth, Golombeck Kristin S, Kürten Julia, Lohmann Hubertus, Schwindt Wolfram, Wiendl Heinz, Bruchmann Maximilian, Melzer Nico, Straube Thomas
Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster , Muenster , Germany.
Department of Neurology, University of Muenster , Muenster , Germany.
Front Neurol. 2015 Nov 30;6:250. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2015.00250. eCollection 2015.
Limbic encephalitis (LE) is an autoimmune-mediated disorder that affects structures of the limbic system, in particular, the amygdala. The amygdala constitutes a brain area substantial for processing of emotional, especially fear-related signals. The amygdala is also involved in neuroendocrine and autonomic functions, including skin conductance responses (SCRs) to emotionally arousing stimuli. This study investigates behavioral and autonomic responses to discrete emotion evoking and neutral film clips in a patient suffering from LE associated with contactin-associated protein-2 (CASPR2) antibodies as compared to a healthy control group. Results show a lack of SCRs in the patient while watching the film clips, with significant differences compared to healthy controls in the case of fear-inducing videos. There was no comparable impairment in behavioral data (emotion report, valence, and arousal ratings). The results point to a defective modulation of sympathetic responses during emotional stimulation in patients with LE, probably due to impaired functioning of the amygdala.
边缘性脑炎（LE）是一种自身免疫介导的疾病，会影响边缘系统的结构，尤其是杏仁核。杏仁核是大脑中一个对处理情绪，特别是与恐惧相关的信号至关重要的区域。杏仁核还参与神经内分泌和自主功能，包括对情绪唤起刺激的皮肤电传导反应（SCR）。本研究调查了一名患有与接触蛋白相关蛋白2（CASPR2）抗体相关的LE患者与健康对照组相比，对离散情绪诱发和中性电影片段的行为和自主反应。结果显示，患者在观看电影片段时缺乏SCR，在观看诱发恐惧的视频时与健康对照组相比有显著差异。行为数据（情绪报告、效价和唤醒评分）没有类似的损害。结果表明，LE患者在情绪刺激期间交感反应的调节存在缺陷，这可能是由于杏仁核功能受损所致。
