The association of anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies with different neurological findings in childhood.

Abstract

Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies can rarely be associated with various neurological syndromes, which are usually present in adults. Here, we present 2 affected children. Our first patient had a diagnosis of epilepsy and presented with continuous involuntary movements and multifocal myoclonic seizures following an infection at the age of 9 months. Anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies were found in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. A partial response was obtained from intravenous immunoglobulin, steroid, and plasmapheresis treatment. The other patient presented with a clinical picture of acute cerebellar ataxia and mutism at the age of 6 years and recovered fully following intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. Neurological findings due to anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies may be more common in children than previously thought, and achieving an early diagnosis can be important for prompt treatment.

• Authors: Mehpare Ozkan, Ayşe Aksoy, Funda Çenesiz, Nilgün Erkek Atay, Deniz Yüksel
• Journal: Epilepsy & behavior : E&B (Epilepsy Behav) Vol. 25 Issue 3 Pg. 464-7 (Nov 2012) ISSN: 1525-5069 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22995927 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antibodies
• Glutamate Decarboxylase

Topics

• Antibodies (blood)
• Child
• Electroencephalography
• Epilepsy (blood, complications, diagnosis)
• Glutamate Decarboxylase (immunology)
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Nervous System Diseases (classification, etiology)