Science Magazine Podcast

How the immune system can cause psychosis, and tool use in otters

May 16, 2024

Learn about the intriguing connection between the immune system and psychosis, as well as how otters use tools to broaden their diet. Dive into the hunt for biomarkers in autoimmune disorders and discover how sea otters gain energy benefits by cracking open tough prey with tools.

32:50

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Quick takeaways

Identifying autoimmune encephalitis early crucial for treating psychiatric symptoms mistaken as demonic possession.

Sea otters gain dental and energy benefits from using tools to access tougher prey items.

Deep dives

Autoimmune Encephalitis: Unraveling the Link between Brain Autoimmunity and Psychotic Symptoms

Rogue antibodies attacking the brain causing bizarre symptoms like psychosis are being studied for biomarkers and treatments. Cases were previously misinterpreted as psychiatric conditions or demonic possession, highlighting the importance of identifying autoimmune encephalitis early for effective treatment.

Introduction

3min

Unraveling the Mysteries of Autoimmune Encephalitis

14min

Exploring the Tool Use Behavior of Otters and Its Impact on Feeding

2min

Sea Otters' Tool Use Behavior and Prey Specialization

12min

Exploring Otter Tool Use and Evolutionary Implications

2min

On this week’s show: What happens when the body’s own immune system attacks the brain, and how otters’ use of tools expands their diet

First on the show this week, when rogue antibodies attack the brain, patients can show bizarre symptoms—from extreme thirst, to sleep deprivation, to outright psychosis. Contributing Correspondent Richard Stone joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss the hunt for biomarkers and treatments for this cluster of autoimmune disorders that were once mistaken for schizophrenia or even demonic possession.

Next on this episode, producer Katherine Irving talks with Chris Law, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Washington and the University of Texas at Austin, about how sea otters gain energy benefits (and dental benefits) when they use tools to tackle tougher prey such as snails or large clams.

This week’s episode was produced with help from Podigy.

About the Science Podcast

Authors: Sarah Crespi; Richard Stone; Katherine Irving

Episode page: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.z4pdg62

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