Autoimmune responses to the brain after stroke are associated with worse outcome.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Immune responses to brain antigens occur after stroke, and experimental studies show that the likelihood of developing a detrimental autoimmune response to these antigens is increased by systemic inflammation at the time of stroke. The aim of this study was to determine if patients who developed infection in the poststroke period would be similarly predisposed to develop autoimmune responses to central nervous system antigens.

Methods

We enrolled 114 patients within 72 hours of ischemic stroke. Clinical and demographic data were obtained, and cellular immune responses to a panel of central nervous system antigens were assessed during the initial week and again at Day 90. Outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale.

Results

Patients who

SUBMITTER: Becker KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3183403 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature