Serum antibodies in epilepsy and seizure-associated disorders.

McKnight, K; Jiang, Y; Hart, Y; Cavey, A; Wroe, S; Blank, M; Shoenfeld, Y; Vincent, A; Palace, J; Lang, B

Neuroscience & Neuroimaging Research Collection

Journal article

Serum antibodies in epilepsy and seizure-associated disorders.

Abstract:: OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether autoantibodies to ion channels and other neural antigens are present in the sera of patients with epilepsy and seizure-related diseases. METHODS: Sera were obtained from 139 patients, including 26 with preexisting autoimmune disease, 46 in whom an autoimmune basis was suspected, and 67 with drug-resistant epilepsy. The sera were assayed for antibodies to voltage-gated potassium (VGKC) and calcium (VGCC) channels, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), gangliosides, glutamate receptor type 3, cardiolipins, DNA, and nuclear antigens; the results were compared with results from a large cohort of healthy and disease controls. RESULTS: Increased titers of VGKC antibodies (>100 pM) were detected in 16 of 139 (11%) patients with seizures but only 1 control (0.5%). Eight VGKC-positive patients presented with an acute/subacute illness, and 5 of these had the highest VGKC antibodies; 3 patients improved spontaneously, another 5 patients responded well to immunomodulatory therapy. The other VGKC-positive patients had longer disease duration (>6 years) and intermediate levels of antibodies; immunotherapies have not been tested in this group. Very high levels of GAD antibodies (>1,000 U) were found in an additional 3 patients (2.1%) with long-standing drug-resistant epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of autoantibodies to voltage-gated potassium channels and glutamic acid decarboxylase suggests that the immune system may contribute to certain forms of epilepsy or seizure-associated disorders. Further studies are needed to determine whether the antibodies are pathogenic.

Publication status:: Published

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APA Style

McKnight, K., Jiang, Y., Hart, Y., Cavey, A., Wroe, S., Blank, M., Shoenfeld, Y., Vincent, A., Palace, J., & Lang, B. (2005). Serum antibodies in epilepsy and seizure-associated disorders. Neurology, 65(11), 1730–1736.

MLA Style

McKnight, K, et al. “Serum Antibodies in Epilepsy and Seizure-Associated Disorders.” Neurology, vol. 65, no. 11, 2005, pp. 1730–36.

Chicago Style

McKnight, K, Y Jiang, Y Hart, et al. 2005. “Serum Antibodies in Epilepsy and Seizure-Associated Disorders.” Neurology 65 (11): 1730–36.
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