Antibody testing in peripheral neuropathies

Neurol Clin. 2007 Feb;25(1):29-46. doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2006.10.002.

Abstract

Many autoantibodies have been described in association with peripheral neuropathy, but the use of antibody testing in clinical practice remains a matter of some debate. Serum autoantibodies to gangliosides or glycoproteins are implicated in a variety of sensory and motor neuropathy syndromes. Paraneoplastic antibodies help identify patients who have a neuropathy related to an underlying malignancy. Detection of an autoantibody in the right clinical setting provides some evidence that the peripheral nerve disturbance is immune mediated and that immunomodulatory therapy may be of benefit.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / immunology
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • Celiac Disease / epidemiology
  • ELAV Proteins / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology*
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / immunology*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / immunology*
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Sjogren-Larsson Syndrome / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic
  • Autoantibodies
  • ELAV Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein