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Association of IgM type anti‐GM1 antibodies and muscle strength in chronic acquired demylelinating polyneuropathy
Author(s) -
Bech Einar,
Andersen Henning,
Ørntoft Torben F.,
Jakobsen Johannes
Publication year - 1998
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.410430113
Subject(s) - pathogenesis , medicine , polyneuropathy , antibody , titer , muscle strength , gastroenterology , chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy , antibody titer , immunology
The pathogenetic role of anti‐GM1 in chronic acquired demyelinating polyneuropathy (CADP) is uncertain. An association between antibodies and disease activity has not yet been established. In 8 patients with CADP followed longitudinally, anti‐GM1 antibodies were monitored with a standardized enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay technique and muscle performance with isokinetic dynamometry. During a mean observation period of 24 months, strength improved in 6 of 8 patients by a median value of 54.5%, and anti‐GM1 fell in all 6 patients; the reduction being 43%. In 2 patients, muscle performance deteriorated by 30 and 8%, whereas anti‐GM1 titers increased by 10 and 9%, respectively. The relative change in anti‐GM1 was inversely related to muscle performance. Clinical scoring of muscle performance according to the Medical Research Council scale failed to show an association with anti‐GM1. It is concluded that anti‐GM1 antibodies are closely realted to disease activity, and that the close association indicates a role of anti‐GM1 in the pathogenesis of CADP.