Abstract | BACKGROUND: Idiopathic autonomic neuropathy is a severe, subacute disorder with a presumed autoimmune basis. It is indistinguishable from the subacute autonomic neuropathy that may accompany lung cancer or other tumors. Autoantibodies specific for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the autonomic ganglia are potentially pathogenic and may serve as serologic markers of various forms of autoimmune autonomic neuropathy. METHODS: RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: Seropositivity for antibodies that bind to or block ganglionic acetylcholine receptors identifies patients with various forms of autoimmune autonomic neuropathy and distinguishes these disorders from other types of dysautonomia. The positive correlation between high levels of ganglionic-receptor antibodies and the severity of autonomic dysfunction suggests that the antibodies have a pathogenic role in these types of neuropathy.
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Authors | S Vernino, P A Low, R D Fealey, J D Stewart, G Farrugia, V A Lennon |
Journal | The New England journal of medicine
(N Engl J Med)
Vol. 343
Issue 12
Pg. 847-55
(Sep 21 2000)
ISSN: 0028-4793 [Print] United States |
PMID | 10995864
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Autoantibodies
- Receptors, Nicotinic
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Autoantibodies
(blood)
- Autoimmune Diseases
(immunology)
- Autonomic Nervous System Diseases
(classification, immunology, physiopathology)
- Diabetic Neuropathies
(immunology)
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Ganglia, Autonomic
(immunology)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Nervous System
(immunology)
- Receptors, Nicotinic
(immunology)
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Severity of Illness Index
- Sweating
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