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Cyclophosphamide for anti‐GAD antibody‐positive refractory status epilepticus
Author(s) -
Kanter Ines C.,
Huttner Hagen B.,
Staykov Dimitre,
Biermann Teresa,
Struffert Tobias,
Kerling Frank,
Hilz MaxJosef,
Schellinger Peter D.,
Schwab Stefan,
Bardutzky Jürgen
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.01500.x
Subject(s) - glutamate decarboxylase , status epilepticus , cyclophosphamide , refractory (planetary science) , gabaergic , medicine , epilepsy , autoimmunity , immunology , pharmacology , antibody , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , chemistry , chemotherapy , biology , enzyme , biochemistry , psychiatry , astrobiology
SummaryGlutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is the enzyme which catalyzes the production of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). There is increasing evidence that severe GAD autoimmunity may be associated with refractory epilepsy. Immunomodulation and GABAergic drugs have been suggested as treatment options. We report here for the first time on a patient with sudden onset of refractory status epilepticus in the presence of strong intrathecal anti‐GAD antibody synthesis who was successfully treated with cyclophosphamide, and give an overview of available data on epilepsy associated with GAD autoimmunity.