Brain On Fire
Getting to the root cause
Brain on Fire
When infections ignite an autoimmune attack on the brain
Sometimes, infections can confuse the immune system, triggering an abnormal immune response in which antibodies mistakenly attack the basal ganglia, an area of the brain responsible for movement, mood and behavior. This attack can disrupt how brain cells and receptor’s function, leading to various neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Increasingly, we are finding that for some people with hard-to-treat symptoms, the root cause of a brain on fire may be this underlying autoimmune issue — often set off by an infection(s).
Tics
OCD
Anxiety
Brain Fog
Mood
Disturbances
Chronic
Depression
Psychosis
Seizure-like Movements
You get an infection
The body’s immune system detects an infection (bacteria, virus, fungi, parasites) and produces antibodies to destroy the harmful organism.
Immune system attacks the brain
But the immune system goes awry and these antibodies cross the blood-brain barrier and attack an area of the brain known as the basal ganglia (responsible for behavior and movement).
Targeting the Basal Ganglia
But the immune system goes awry and these antibodies cross the blood-brain barrier and attack an area of the brain known as the basal ganglia (responsible for behavior and movement).
Disrupting Brain Activity
When autoimmune antibodies bind to or block these targets, they can disrupt how cells and receptor’s function.
Triggering Brain on Fire
This attack can lead to brain inflammation in the Basal Ganglia, a region responsible for movement, emotions and thoughts.
Leading to Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
Neuroinflammation and disruptions in how cells and receptors function in the brain can lead to a wide range of neurological and psychiatric symptoms.
Brain on Fire
How Infections and Immune Dysfunction Impact the Brain
Dr. Shimasaki discusses how common infections can trigger an abnormal immune response, leading to the onset of neurologic and psychiatric symptoms.
Common Infections Disrupt the Immune System
Common infections, like strep, influenza, mycoplasma, Epstein Barr virus, Lyme disease, SARS-CoV-2 and others, can cause the immune system to malfunction in some individuals. Infectious pathogens can be bacterial, viral, or fungal.
Patients may be unaware they have an infection. Often times, infections are subclinical—meaning they produce no obvious physical symptoms. However, even without noticeable signs, these infections can still trigger an autoimmune response directed against the brain, leading to neuropsychiatric symptoms.
In this case review, Dr. Shimasaki examines how an underlying autoimmune dysfunction — triggered by infection — was identified as the root cause of a child’s treatment-resistant psychiatric symptoms.
How protected is the brain?
Crossing the blood-brain barrier.
The brain was once thought to be “immune privileged,” protected by the blood-brain barrier—a shield that prevented antibodies and immune cells from entering. However, research now shows that infections and inflammation can compromise this barrier, allowing autoantibodies to cross into the brain.
Once inside, these autoantibodies can target certain receptors or cells including Dopamine D1 & D2 receptors, Lysoganglioside GM1 and Tubulin, which are responsible for movement, mood and cognition. When antibodies block or attach to these targets, they can disrupt their functioning and cause various neurologic and psychiatric symptoms.
Looking beneath the surface - root cause for Brain On Fire. something like that
The Autoimmune Brain Panel™ is a specialized test designed to detect infection-triggered autoimmune activity that may be affecting the brain, leading to neuropsychiatric symptoms. It is the only test of its kind in the world.
Yet for many patients, these underlying biological factors go undiagnosed and untreated—often resulting in years of unnecessary suffering.
Testing is simple. And involves a single blood draw.
Take the first step towards understanding your neuropsychiatric symptoms with an exclusive guide to something here, all backed by world-leading science.
Is testing right for you? We’ll review the symptoms that are most often linked with each assay comprising the Autoimmune Brain Panel™ and explore whether testing may be beneficial to you and why it’s important.
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