Cerebellar ataxia and autoantibodies restricted to glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67)

J Neuroimmunol. 2016 Nov 15:300:15-17. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2016.09.019. Epub 2016 Oct 5.

Abstract

Cerebellar ataxia is one of the most frequent syndromes associated with autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD-ab). Antibodies recognize the isoform GAD65, which is the standard biomarker, but additional immunoreactivity against GAD67 is found in high proportion of patients with GAD-ab-associated neurological disorders. We describe the case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with pancerebellar syndrome of subacute onset (9weeks to nadir). In the etiological study, high titers of GAD-ab were found, but these only recognized the GAD67 isoform and not the GAD65. Screening of GAD67-ab should be considered in late-onset cerebellar ataxia when GAD65-ab are absent.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / blood*
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase / blood*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Biomarkers
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase
  • glutamate decarboxylase 1