Anti–SARS-CoV-2 and Autoantibody Profiles in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of 3 Teenaged Patients With COVID-19 and Subacute Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

Bartley CM, Johns C, Ngo TT, et al. Anti–SARS-CoV-2 and Autoantibody Profiles in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of 3 Teenaged Patients With COVID-19 and Subacute Neuropsychiatric Symptoms. JAMA Neurol. Published online October 25, 2021. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.3821

This study looks at three teens with new-onset neuropsychiatric symptoms including subacute neuropsychiatric problems, including paranoid delusions, suicidal ideation, anxiety, obsessive behavior, and cognitive slowing. The investigators believe that ER departments should be open to the possibility that young people with new unexplained neuropsychiatric problems could have an autoantibody response to the COVID-19 infection.

– Identified anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and anti-neuronal autoantibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 2 of the 3 teens.
– 2 of 3 had positive direct detection tests. 1 had positive antibody testing with recent exposure.
– 3 of 3 had abnormal CSF with restricted oligoclonal bands, elevated protein, and/or an elevated immunoglobulin G (IgG) index
0 of 3 met criteria for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children

Also read, Neurology Today – COVID-19 and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Teenagers by By Jamie Talan