Modulatory effects of proinflammatory cytokines for action cascading processes - Evidence from neurosarcoidosis

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Neurosarcoidosis is a rare central nervous system manifestation of sarcoidosis. T cell, T-helper cell and macrophage activation via the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II-mediated pathway causes this disease. Little is known about the possible cognitive disturbances in this disease as most reported instances are case studies. Here, we provide the first in-depth analysis of psychomotor functions in a sample of 30 neurosarcoidosis patients. We investigated action control processes using a paradigm that is able to examine how different tasks are cascaded to achieve the task goal. We integrated electrophysiological (EEG) data with behavioural and neuroimmunological data.Our results show that there was no general cognitive decline in patients with neurosarcoidosis. Patients only presented deficits when two response options have to be prioritized. Patients apply an inefficient processing strategy where they try to processes different response options in parallel. The electrophysiological data show that the deficits are due to dysfunctions at the response selection stage. Behavioural and neurophysiological changes are predictable on the basis of soluble interleukin 2 receptor serum concentrations. The results show that neurosarcoidosis is not associated with nonspecific changes in cognitive functions but does lead to specific alterations in cognitive control that are strongly dependent on immunological parameters.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)126-133
Number of pages8
JournalBrain, behavior, and immunity
Volume41
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 24846477
ORCID /0000-0002-2989-9561/work/160952572

Keywords

Keywords

  • Action control, EEG, Neuropsychology, Neurosarcoidosis, Soluble interleukin 2