Brain Storm

There are more than 80 autoimmune disorders in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy bodily tissue. Some autoimmune conditions include celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

What causes the immune system to malfunction?

The immune system produces antibodies against harmful substances to help us fight off infections and unwanted conditions. Sometimes this system goes haywire and begins to attack healthy tissues, which can damage healthy blood vessels, connective tissues, hormone-producing glands, joints, muscles, or skin.

What are antibodies and how are they involved?

Antibodies are protein components of the immune system that circulate in the blood; they recognize foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses and neutralize them. After exposure to foreign substances, known as antigens, the antibodies continue to circulate in the blood, providing protection against future exposures to that particular antigen.

Certain antibodies, such as those to a substance known as glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), among others, have been associated with neurological syndromes.

How are antibody-associated neurological disorders diagnosed?

Because the symptoms of autoimmune neurological disorders can be diverse and the field of autoimmune neurology is still in its relative infancy, these conditions can be difficult to recognize in their early stages and challenging to diagnose.

Additionally, there are no current criteria developed to establish when a neurological syndrome is linked to GAD or other relevant antibodies. However, diagnostic tests involving identifying GAD antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid may be sufficient to confirm a link with GAD autoimmunity.

Is Alzheimer’s actually an autoimmune disorder?

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder involving the gradual decline in memory, thinking, behaviour, and social skills. It involves nerve cell death and tissue loss throughout the brain. Beta-amyloid, a type of protein fragment in the brain, binds together to form plaques.

Donald Weaver, MD, a neurologist and medical chemist, and the director of the Krembil Research Institute, the research arm of Toronto Western Hospital has been conducting research to expand our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and the role of beta-amyloid.

In his review published by Current Alzheimer Research in 2021, Weaver suggests that “Alzheimer’s disease is an autoimmune disease in which beta-amyloid is a key molecular player” rather than a cause of the disease. He further explains that, following brain exposure to substances or events that stimulate the immune system, such as infection, trauma, reduction in blood flow, or pollution, “the innate immune system is activated, leading to the release of beta-amyloid.” This “subsequently inflicts a misdirected attack upon the (person’s) neurons—an autoimmune event.”

This paradigm shift in the world of brain diseases may warrant reclassification of some brain or nervous system disorders that were previously considered psychological or infectious in nature.

While the research in the field of autoimmune neurology is still fairly new, this innovative approach to studying brain disease may hold promise for the prevention or treatment of those conditions found to fall under its domain.

Calming immune storms

It’s premature to recommend specific nutrients for the treatment of autoimmune neurological conditions; however, some nutrients have demonstrated support in regulating autoimmune concerns as well as supporting brain health. Some of these nutrients include acetyl L-carnitine, glutathione, phosphatidylserine, S-adenosyl methionine (SAM-e), and vitamin D.

Acetyl L-carnitine

Preliminary animal research found that supplementation with acetyl L-carnitine alongside traditional drug treatments for experimental multiple sclerosis showed promise in reducing autoimmune effects.

Glutathione

For those suffering from autoimmune conditions, glutathione may be beneficial. Research published in the journal Autoimmunity Reviews in 2009 found that glutathione intake may increase protection against oxidative stress in autoimmune diseases.

Phosphatidylserine

A critical nutrient to the proper functioning of cells, particularly brain cells, phosphatidylserine supplements have been used to inhibit excessive neuroinflammation and support brain health.

S-adenosyl methionine

SAM-e supports an important chemical process known as methylation, which is often impaired in people with brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and depression, as well as in those with autoimmune conditions.

Vitamin D

While many think of vitamin D’s role as primarily for calcium absorption and bone health, research shows it’s also a potent immunomodulator. Vitamin D receptors are found in most of the cells of the immune system, including B and T lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages, among others.

Autoimmune neurology—when the immune system attacks the brain

A growing recognition of autoimmunity in many neurological disorders, through research over the past two decades, has led to an increased discovery of antibody-associated neurological diseases. In other words, scientists discovered that a malfunctioning immune system can also damage the brain or nervous system, which may express in a range of disease conditions.

The field, known as autoimmune neurology, encompasses numerous conditions that appear to have an autoimmune component, including Alzheimer’s disease, encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis, schizophrenia, stiff-person syndrome, and epilepsy.

This article was originally published in the July 2024 issue of alive magazine.