Intrathecal-specific glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies at low titers in autoimmune neurological disorders.

Abstract

Autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (Gad-Abs) are implicated in various neurological syndromes. The present study aims to identify intrathecal-specific GAD-Abs and to determine clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes. Nineteen patients had GAD-Abs in cerebrospinal fluid but not in paired serum samples. Neurological syndromes included limbic encephalitis, temporal lobe epilepsy, cerebellar ataxia, autonomic dysfunction, and stiff-person syndrome. Immunotherapy had beneficial effects in 57.1% of patients, and the patients with limbic encephalitis responded especially well to immunotherapy. Intrathecal-specific antibodies to GAD at low titers may appear as nonspecific markers of immune activation within the central nervous system rather than pathogenic antibodies causing neuronal dysfunction.

• Authors: Jun-Sang Sunwoo, Kon Chu, Jung-Ick Byun, Jangsup Moon, Jung-Ah Lim, Tae-Joon Kim, Soon-Tae Lee, Keun-Hwa Jung, Kyung-Il Park, Daejong Jeon, Ki-Young Jung, Manho Kim, Sang Kun Lee
• Journal: Journal of neuroimmunology (J Neuroimmunol) Vol. 290 Pg. 15-21 (Jan 15 2016) ISSN: 1872-8421 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 26711563 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Autoantibodies
• Biomarkers
• Glutamate Decarboxylase

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Autoantibodies (blood, cerebrospinal fluid)
• Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, diagnosis)
• Biomarkers (blood, cerebrospinal fluid)
• Female
• Glutamate Decarboxylase (blood, cerebrospinal fluid)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Spinal Cord (metabolism)
• Young Adult