Detailed contribution information

Back to list

Contribution title Phenomenology and immunologic mechanisms of repetitive and restrictive behaviors and sensory phenomena in neurodevelopmental disorders
Contribution code D1.102
Authors
  1. Natalia Rodriguez Universitat de Barcelona Presenter
  2. Ana Vigil-Pérez Hospital Clinic de Barcelona-IDIBAPS
  3. Ana Blázquez Hospital Clinic de Barcelona. IDIBAPS
  4. Blanca Garcia-Delgar Hospital Clinic de Barcelona. IDIBAPS
  5. Rosa Calvo Escalona Hospital Clínic Universitari, Barcelona, Spain. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM Presenter
  6. Albert Martinez-Pinteño Universitat de Barcelona. IDIBAPS
  7. Julia Simon Universitat de Barcelona
  8. Llucia Prohens Universitat de Barcelona
  9. Patricia Gasso Universitat de Barcelona. IDIBAPS. CIBERSAM
  10. Luisa Lázaro Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain Presenter
Form of presentation Poster
Topic
  • T27 - OCD
Abstract Aims: This study aims to explore the clinical characteristics and immunologic mechanisms underlying repetitive and restrictive behaviors (RRBs) and sensory phenomena (SP) in children and adolescents diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Tourette syndrome (TS), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Methods: We assessed RRBs and SP in participants aged 6–17 with a main diagnosis of OCD (n=24), TS (n=20), or ASD (n=21) using the Repetitive Behaviour Scale-Revised (RBS-R) and the University of Sao Paulo-Sensory Phenomena Scale (USP-SPS). We also analyzed immune cell populations using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to characterize monocyte subpopulations, regulatory T cells, and T helper cells (Th1, Th2 and Th17) in peripheral blood, exploring their relationship with RRBs and clinical characteristics.
Results and Conclusions: RRBs and SP were identified as transdiagnostic features across OCD, TS, and ASD. The RBS-R mean was 17.3 ± 14.9, 9 while SP severity, reported by 90% of participants, had a mean of 5.3 ± 3.8, with no significant group differences in total RRB or USP-SPS scores. Immune analysis revealed a significant association between Th17 cells, known for their pro-inflammatory properties, and clinical severity, with higher RBS-R scores correlating with elevated Th17 cell proportions (p = 0.004). Patients with a family history of psychiatric disorders also showed increased Th17 cells (p = 0.024), highlighting a potential genetic-immune interaction. These findings suggest a pro-inflammatory state linked to RRBs and support the immune hypothesis in neurodevelopmental disorders.