Abstract
Antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) are found in about 40% of patients with stiff man syndrome. A new assay involving immunoprecipitation of 125I-glutamic acid decarboxylase was used to measure anti-GAD antibodies in 18 patients with stiff man syndrome. Of the eight serum samples from patients with stiff man syndrome, that had previously been found positive by immunoprecipitation of 35S-GAD, seven were strongly positive with 125I-GAD and one gave an equivocal result. Other serum samples from patients with stiff man syndrome and from controls were negative except one from a patient who had a thymoma, acquired neuromyotonia, and myasthenia gravis. Nine of 35 serum samples referred for testing were positive; in two of these the serum titre was 20-50 times higher than that in the CSF. This assay should prove useful in the diagnosis, management, and investigation of stiff man syndrome.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 395-397 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 4 |
Publication status | Published - 1997 |
Keywords
- Glutamic acid decarboxylase
- Neuromyotonia
- Stiff man syndrome
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Neuroscience(all)
- Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology