Acute cerebellar ataxia and consecutive cerebellitis produced by glutamate receptor delta2 autoantibody

Brain Dev. 2007 May;29(4):254-6. doi: 10.1016/j.braindev.2006.09.004. Epub 2006 Oct 16.

Abstract

Acute cerebellar ataxia is usually a self-limited benign disease, which may develop in children after certain viral infections or vaccinations. There are several reports of acute cerebellar ataxia associated with autoantibodies. Glutamate receptor delta2, a member of the glutamate receptor family, is predominantly expressed in cerebellar Purkinje cells and plays a crucial role in cerebellar functions. To date anti-GluRdelta2 autoantibody was detected in a patient with chronic cerebellitis. Herein, an 18-month-old boy presented with cerebellar ataxia 9 days following a mild respiratory tract infection. Although cerebellar ataxia gradually improved, it worsened yet again following mumps and varicella virus infection. Cerebro-spinal fluid examination and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated pleocytosis and meningeal enhancement, respectively. Furthermore, glutamate receptor delta2 autoantibody was detected in serum and cerebro-spinal fluid. Thus, we believe that the glutamate receptor delta2 autoantibody may play a role in cerebellar ataxia and consecutive cerebellitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies / metabolism*
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / immunology*
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Receptors, Glutamate / immunology*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Receptors, Glutamate
  • glutamate receptor delta 2