IgA deficiency destabilizes homeostasis toward intestinal microbes and increases systemic immune dysregulation.

The ability of most patients with selective immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency (SIgAD) to remain apparently healthy has been a persistent clinical conundrum. Compensatory mechanisms, including IgM, have been proposed, yet it remains unclear how secretory IgA and IgM work together in the mucosal system and, on a larger scale, whether the systemic and mucosal anti-commensal responses are redundant or have unique features. To address this gap in knowledge, we developed an integrated host-commensal approach combining microbial flow cytometry and metagenomic sequencing (mFLOW-Seq) to comprehensively define which microbes induce mucosal and systemic antibodies.

Slowed Processing Speed Disrupts Patient Expectancy in Late Life Depression.

Objective: Slowed processing speed and executive dysfunction are associated with poor outcomes in Late Life Depression (LLD), though it is unclear why. We investigated whether these variables interfere with the development of positive treatment expectancies in an antidepressant trial.

Methods: Depressed older subjects were randomized to Open (intended to increase patient expectancy) or Placebo-controlled (termed 'Hidden,' intended to decrease expectancy) administration of antidepressant medication for 8 weeks.