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Autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase in palatal myoclonus and epilepsy
Author(s) -
Nemni R.,
Braghi S.,
NataliSora M. G.,
Lampasona V.,
Bonifacio E.,
Comi G.,
Canal N.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410360419
Subject(s) - glutamate decarboxylase , myoclonus , autoantibody , medicine , glutamic acid , epilepsy , aromatic l amino acid decarboxylase , antibody , immunology , anesthesia , amino acid , chemistry , biochemistry , enzyme , psychiatry , dopamine
Abstract We report the presence of serum autoantibodies directed aginst glutamic acid decarboxylase in a patient with epilepsy and palatal myoclonus not associated with brain lesions. Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody reactivity was dependent on the presence of carboxy‐terminal amino acids, similar to that reported in patients with stiff‐man syndrome. Marked reduction in the frequency of epileptic attacks and improvement in palatal myoclonus occurred when benzodiazepine was administered and phenytoin was gradually tapered. Testing for antiglutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies may be indicated in patients with palatal myoclonus and with convulsive disorders refractory to therapy.