Disabling Central Paroxysmal Positioning Upbeat Nystagmus and Vertigo Associated With the Presence of Anti-Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Antibodies

J Neuroophthalmol. 2018 Mar;38(1):32-35. doi: 10.1097/WNO.0000000000000547.

Abstract

An immune attack by anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies is believed to cause a deficiency in gamma-aminobutyric acid-mediated neurotransmission in the cerebellum. This, in turn, leads to several eye movement disorders, including spontaneous downbeat (DBN) and periodic alternating nystagmus. We describe a 68-year-old diabetic woman with disabling paroxysmal positioning upbeat nystagmus (UBN) exclusively in the supine position, associated with asymptomatic spontaneous DBN, alternating skew deviation and hyperactive vestibulo-ocular reflex responses on head impulse testing, in whom high titers of anti-GAD antibodies were detected. After treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, a complete resolution of positioning UBN and spontaneous DBN occurred, along with a decrease in anti-GAD antibody titers. Positioning UBN in this case may reflect a transient disinhibition of the central vestibular pathways carrying posterior semicircular canal signals, due to lack of normal inhibitory input from the cerebellar nodulus/uvula. Immunoglobulin restored cerebellar inhibitory output, possibly by improving gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmission.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Baclofen / therapeutic use
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / complications
  • Female
  • GABA-B Receptor Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Nystagmus, Pathologic / drug therapy
  • Nystagmus, Pathologic / immunology*
  • Nystagmus, Pathologic / physiopathology
  • Ocular Motility Disorders
  • Supine Position
  • Vertigo / drug therapy
  • Vertigo / immunology*
  • Vertigo / physiopathology

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • GABA-B Receptor Agonists
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase
  • Baclofen