AUTHOR=Martinez-Martinez Pilar , Molenaar Peter , Losen Mario , Stevens Jo , De Baets Marc , Szoke Andrei , Honnorat Jerome , Tamouza Ryad , Leboyer Marion , van Os Jim , Rutten Bart TITLE=Autoantibodies to neurotransmitter receptors and ion channels: from neuromuscular to neuropsychiatric disorders JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics VOLUME=4 YEAR=2013 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2013.00181 DOI=10.3389/fgene.2013.00181 ISSN=1664-8021 ABSTRACT=

Changes of voltage-gated ion channels and ligand-gated receptor channels caused by mutation or autoimmune attack are the cause of so-called channelopathies in the central and peripheral nervous system. We present the pathophysiology of channelopathies of the neuromuscular junction in terms of loss-of-function and gain-of-function principles. Autoantibodies generally have reduced access to the central nervous system, but in some cases this is enough to cause disease. A review is provided of recent findings implicating autoantibodies against ligand-activated receptor channels and potassium channels in psychiatric and neurological disorders, including schizophrenia and limbic encephalitis. The emergence of channelopathy-related neuropsychiatric disorders has implications for research and practice.