Correlations between event-related potentials and NK cells, B and T lymphocytes.

Background: The links between psychiatry and immune dysfunctions are well known. By contrast, there are few studies that evaluate the link between neuroelectrophysiology and immune system disturbances.

Subjects And Methods: We retrospectively included 31 patients hospitalized between 2011 and 2012. They completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and were assessed using DSM IV TR on Axis 1. Event-related potentials were performed. Lymphocyte subtypes were quantified using flow cytometry.

Results: In terms of P300 latency, there are correlations with the absolute value of leukocytes: for P3a component, we find a correlation in frontal derivation Fz (r=0.405*), in central derivation Cz (r=0.438*), in parietal derivation Pz (r=0.403*) and for P3b component, there is a correlation in Fz (r=0.414*), in Cz (r=0.402*) and in Pz (r=0.425*). In terms of P300 amplitude, for P3b component, there are correlations with CD3 lymphocytes percentage in all derivations (Fz (r=-0.621**); Cz (r=-0.567**); Pz (r=-0.499**)) and with CD19 lymphocytes percentage in all derivations (Fz (r=0.469*); Cz (r=0.466*); Pz (r=0.430*)). For P3a, it is correlated with CD3 percentage (in Fz (r=-0.539**); Cz (r=-0.406*)) and with CD19 percentage (Fz (r=0.364*); Pz (r=0.357*)). With respect to the relationship between mismatch negativity (MMN) amplitude and natural killer (NK) cells percentage, there are correlations in left temporal derivation T3 (r=-0.426*), in Cz (r=-0.401*) and in right temporal derivation T4 (r=-0.427*). A correlation is found between the contingent negative variation (CNV) amplitude and the lymphocytes percentage in Fz (r=-0.471**).

Conclusions: There is a link between lymphocyte-related immunity and electrophysiological disturbances in psychiatric patients. Further studies would be needed to evaluate this relationship more specifically, particularly prospectively and by pathology.