Investigations in GABAA receptor antibody-associated encephalitis

GABA-A receptor; Encephalitis; AntibodiesReceptor GABA-A; Encefalitis; AnticossosReceptor GABA-A; Encefalitis; AnticuerposOBJECTIVE: To report the clinical features, comorbidities, receptor subunit targets, and outcome in patients with anti-GABAA receptor (GABAAR) encephalitis. METHODS: Clinical study of 26 patients, including 17 new (April 2013-January 2016) and 9 previously reported patients. Antibodies to α1, β3, and γ2 subunits of the GABAAR were determined using reported techniques. RESULTS: Patients' median age was 40.5 years (interquartile range 48.5 [13.75-62.35] years; the youngest 2.5 months old; 13 female). Symptoms included seizures (88%), alteration of cognition (67%), behavior (46%), consciousness (42%), or abnormal movements (35%). Comorbidities were identified in 11 (42%) patients, including 7 tumors (mostly thymomas), 2 herpesvirus encephalitis (herpes simplex virus 1, human herpesvirus 6; coexisting with NMDAR antibodies), and 2 myasthenia without thymoma. Brain MRI was abnormal in 23 (88%) patients, showing in 20 (77%) multifocal, asynchronous, cortical-subcortical T2/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery abnormalities predominantly involving temporal (95%) and frontal (65%) lobes, but also basal ganglia and other regions. Immunologic or tumor therapy resulted in substantial improvement in 18/21 (86%) assessable patients; the other 3 (14%) died (2 status epilepticus, 1 sepsis). Compared with adults, children were more likely to have generalized seizures (p = 0.007) and movement disorders (p = 0.01) and less likely to have a tumor (p = 0.01). The main epitope targets were in the α1/β3 subunits of the GABAAR. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-GABAAR encephalitis is characterized by frequent seizures and distinctive multifocal cortical-subcortical MRI abnormalities that provide an important clue to the diagnosis. The frequency of symptoms and comorbidities differ between children (more viral-related) and adults (more tumor-related). The disorder is severe but most patients respond to treatment

Paraneoplastic cerebellar ataxia and antibodies to metabotropic glutamate receptor 2

To report the presence of a new neuronal surface antibody against the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 antibody (mGluR2-Ab) in 2 patients with paraneoplastic cerebellar ataxia.mGluR2-Abs were initially characterized by immunohistochemistry on the rat brain and confirmed by immunofluorescence on HEK293 cells transfected with mGluR2. Additional studies included analysis of potential cross-reactivity with other mGluRs, expression of mGluR2 in patients' tumors, and the effects of mGluR2-Abs on cultures of rat hippocampal neurons.Patient 1 was a 78-year-old woman with progressive cerebellar ataxia with an initial relapsing-remitting course who developed a small-cell tumor of unknown origin. Patient 2 was a 3-year-old girl who presented a steroid-responsive acute cerebellitis preceding the diagnosis of an alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Patients' serum and CSF showed a characteristic immunostaining of the hippocampus and cerebellum in rat brain sections and immunolabeled the cell surface of live rat hippocampal neurons. HEK293 cells transfected with mGluR1, 2, 3, and 5 confirmed that patients' antibodies only recognized mGluR2. mGluR2-Abs were not detected in 160 controls, 120 with paraneoplastic, autoimmune, or degenerative ataxias, and 40 with autoimmune encephalitis and antibodies against mGluR5 or unknown antigens. Expression of mGluR2 in tumors was confirmed by immunohistochemistry using a commercial mGluR2-Ab. Incubation of live rat hippocampal neurons with CSF of patient 2 did not modify the density of surface mGluR2 clusters.mGluR2-Abs are a novel biomarker of paraneoplastic cerebellar ataxia. The potential pathogenic effect of the antibodies is not mediated by downregulation or internalization of neuronal surface mGluR2.Copyright © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Neurology

Clinical and Immunologic Investigations in Patients With Stiff-Person Spectrum Disorder

Importance: Symptoms of stiff-person syndrome (SPS), stiff-limb syndrome (SLS), or progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity, myoclonus, or other symptoms (SPS-plus) can occur with several autoantibodies, but the relative frequency of each antibody, syndrome specificity, and prognostic implications are unclear. Objective: To report the clinical and immunologic findings of a large cohort of patients with stiff-person spectrum disorder (SPSD), including SPS, SLS, and SPS-plus. Design, Setting, and Patients: This study retrospectively examined a case series (January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2014) of immunologic investigations performed in a neuroimmunology referral center. The study included 121 patients with clinical features of SPSD. Data analysis was performed from July 1, 2015, through November 1, 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures: Analysis of clinical-immunologic associations, including autoantibodies to 8 proteins expressed in inhibitory synapses. Results: The median age of the patients was 51 years (interquartile range, 40-61 years), and 75 (62.0%) were female. Fifty (41.3%) had SPS, 37 (30.6%) had SPS-plus, 24 (19.8%) had SLS, and 10 (8.3%) had SPS or SLS overlapping with ataxia, epilepsy, or encephalitis. Fifty-two patients (43.0%) had glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) antibodies (2 with γ-aminobutyric acid-A [GABA-A] receptor antibodies), 24 (19.8%) had α1-subunit of the glycine receptor (GlyR) antibodies (2 with GAD65 antibodies), 5 (4.1%) had other antibodies, and 40 (33.1%) tested negative for antibodies. None had gephyrin or glycine transporter antibodies. Among the main immunologic groups (GAD65 antibodies, GlyR antibodies, and antibody negative), those with GAD65 antibodies were more likely to be female (45 [86.5%] of 52, 8 [36.4%] of 22, and 18 [45.0%] of 40, respectively; P < .001), have systemic autoimmunity (34 [65.4%] of 52, 7 [31.8%] of 22, and 13 [32.5%] of 40, respectively; P = .004), and have longer delays in being tested for antibodies (median, 3 vs 0.5 and 1 year; P < .001). Patients with GAD65 antibodies were more likely to develop SPS (27 [51.9%] of 52) or overlapping syndromes (8 [15.4%] of 52) than patients with GlyR antibodies (5 [22.7%] and 0 [0%] of 22, respectively), who more often developed SPS-plus (12 [54.5%] of 22 vs 7 [13.5%] in those with GAD65 antibodies); antibody-negative patients had an intermediate syndrome distribution. In multivariable analysis, symptom severity (P = .001) and immunologic group (P = .01) were independently associated with outcome. Compared with patients with GlyR antibodies, those with GAD65 antibodies (odds ratio, 11.1, 95% CI, 2.3-53.7; P = .003) had worse outcome. Patients without antibodies had similar outcome than patients with GlyR antibodies (odds ratio, 4.2, 95% CI, 0.9-20.0; P = .07). Conclusions and Relevance: In SPSD, symptom severity and presence and type of antibodies are predictors of outcome

Clinical and Immunologic Investigations in Patients With Stiff-Person Spectrum Disorder

Importance: Symptoms of stiff-person syndrome (SPS), stiff-limb syndrome (SLS), or progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity, myoclonus, or other symptoms (SPS-plus) can occur with several autoantibodies, but the relative frequency of each antibody, syndrome specificity, and prognostic implications are unclear. Objective: To report the clinical and immunologic findings of a large cohort of patients with stiff-person spectrum disorder (SPSD), including SPS, SLS, and SPS-plus. Design, Setting, and Patients: This study retrospectively examined a case series (January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2014) of immunologic investigations performed in a neuroimmunology referral center. The study included 121 patients with clinical features of SPSD. Data analysis was performed from July 1, 2015, through November 1, 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures: Analysis of clinical-immunologic associations, including autoantibodies to 8 proteins expressed in inhibitory synapses. Results: The median age of the patients was 51 years (interquartile range, 40-61 years), and 75 (62.0%) were female. Fifty (41.3%) had SPS, 37 (30.6%) had SPS-plus, 24 (19.8%) had SLS, and 10 (8.3%) had SPS or SLS overlapping with ataxia, epilepsy, or encephalitis. Fifty-two patients (43.0%) had glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) antibodies (2 with γ-aminobutyric acid-A [GABA-A] receptor antibodies), 24 (19.8%) had α1-subunit of the glycine receptor (GlyR) antibodies (2 with GAD65 antibodies), 5 (4.1%) had other antibodies, and 40 (33.1%) tested negative for antibodies. None had gephyrin or glycine transporter antibodies. Among the main immunologic groups (GAD65 antibodies, GlyR antibodies, and antibody negative), those with GAD65 antibodies were more likely to be female (45 [86.5%] of 52, 8 [36.4%] of 22, and 18 [45.0%] of 40, respectively; P < .001), have systemic autoimmunity (34 [65.4%] of 52, 7 [31.8%] of 22, and 13 [32.5%] of 40, respectively; P = .004), and have longer delays in being tested for antibodies (median, 3 vs 0.5 and 1 year; P < .001). Patients with GAD65 antibodies were more likely to develop SPS (27 [51.9%] of 52) or overlapping syndromes (8 [15.4%] of 52) than patients with GlyR antibodies (5 [22.7%] and 0 [0%] of 22, respectively), who more often developed SPS-plus (12 [54.5%] of 22 vs 7 [13.5%] in those with GAD65 antibodies); antibody-negative patients had an intermediate syndrome distribution. In multivariable analysis, symptom severity (P = .001) and immunologic group (P = .01) were independently associated with outcome. Compared with patients with GlyR antibodies, those with GAD65 antibodies (odds ratio, 11.1, 95% CI, 2.3-53.7; P = .003) had worse outcome. Patients without antibodies had similar outcome than patients with GlyR antibodies (odds ratio, 4.2, 95% CI, 0.9-20.0; P = .07). Conclusions and Relevance: In SPSD, symptom severity and presence and type of antibodies are predictors of outcome

LGI1 antibodies alter Kv1.1 and AMPA receptors changing synaptic excitability, plasticity and memory

Leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) is a secreted neuronal protein that forms a trans-synaptic complex that includes the presynaptic disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 23 (ADAM23), which interacts with voltage-gated potassium channels Kv1.1, and the postsynaptic ADAM22, which interacts with AMPA receptors. Human autoantibodies against LGI1 associate with a form of autoimmune limbic encephalitis characterized by severe but treatable memory impairment and frequent faciobrachial dystonic seizures. Although there is evidence that this disease is immune-mediated, the underlying LGI1 antibody-mediated mechanisms are unknown. Here, we used patient-derived immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to determine the main epitope regions of LGI1 and whether the antibodies disrupt the interaction of LGI1 with ADAM23 and ADAM22. In addition, we assessed the effects of patient-derived antibodies on Kv1.1, AMPA receptors, and memory in a mouse model based on cerebroventricular transfer of patient-derived IgG. We found that IgG from all patients (n = 25), but not from healthy participants (n = 20), prevented the binding of LGI1 to ADAM23 and ADAM22. Using full-length LGI1, LGI3, and LGI1 constructs containing the LRR1 domain (EPTP1-deleted) or EPTP1 domain (LRR3-EPTP1), IgG from all patients reacted with epitope regions contained in the LRR1 and EPTP1 domains. Confocal analysis of hippocampal slices of mice infused with pooled IgG from eight patients, but not pooled IgG from controls, showed a decrease of total and synaptic levels of Kv1.1 and AMPA receptors. The effects on Kv1.1 preceded those involving the AMPA receptors. In acute slice preparations of hippocampus, patch-clamp analysis from dentate gyrus granule cells and CA1 pyramidal neurons showed neuronal hyperexcitability with increased glutamatergic transmission, higher presynaptic release probability, and reduced synaptic failure rate upon minimal stimulation, all likely caused by the decreased expression of Kv1.1. Analysis of synaptic plasticity by recording field potentials in the CA1 region of the hippocampus showed a severe impairment of long-term potentiation. This defect in synaptic plasticity was independent from Kv1 blockade and was possibly mediated by ineffective recruitment of postsynaptic AMPA receptors. In parallel with these findings, mice infused with patient-derived IgG showed severe memory deficits in the novel object recognition test that progressively improved after stopping the infusion of patient-derived IgG. Different from genetic models of LGI1 deficiency, we did not observe aberrant dendritic sprouting or defective synaptic pruning as potential cause of the symptoms. Overall, these findings demonstrate that patient-derived IgG disrupt presynaptic and postsynaptic LGI1 signalling, causing neuronal hyperexcitability, decreased plasticity, and reversible memory deficits

Seizure-related 6 homolog like 2 autoimmunity: Neurologic syndrome and antibody effects

Objective: To describe the clinical syndrome of 4 new patients with seizure-related 6 homolog like 2 antibodies (SEZ6L2-abs), study the antibody characteristics, and evaluate their effects on neuronal cultures. Methods: SEZ6L2-abs were initially identified in serum and CSF of a patient with cerebellar ataxia by immunohistochemistry on rat brain sections and immunoprecipitation from rat cerebellar neurons. We used a cell-based assay (CBA) of HEK293 cells transfected with SEZ6L2 to test the serum of 95 patients with unclassified neuropil antibodies, 331 with different neurologic disorders, and 10 healthy subjects. Additional studies included characterization of immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses and the effects of SEZ6L2-abs on cultures of rat hippocampal neurons. Results: In addition to the index patient, SEZ6L2-abs were identified by CBA in 3/95 patients with unclassified neuropil antibodies but in none of the 341 controls. The median age of the 4 patients was 62 years (range: 54-69 years), and 2 were female. Patients presented with subacute gait ataxia, dysarthria, and mild extrapyramidal symptoms. Initial brain MRI was normal, and CSF pleocytosis was found in only 1 patient. None improved with immunotherapy. SEZ6L2-abs recognized conformational epitopes. IgG4 SEZ6L2-abs were found in all 4 patients, and it was the predominant subclass in 2. SEZ6L2-abs did not alter the number of total or synaptic SEZ6L2 or the AMPA glutamate receptor 1 (GluA1) clusters on the surface of hippocampal neurons. Conclusions: SEZ6L2-abs associate with a subacute cerebellar syndrome with frequent extrapyramidal symptoms. The potential pathogenic effect of the antibodies is not mediated by internalization of the antigen

Seizure-related 6 homolog like 2 autoimmunity Neurologic syndrome and antibody effects

Objective To describe the clinical syndrome of 4 new patients with seizure-related 6 homolog like 2 antibodies (SEZ6L2-abs), study the antibody characteristics, and evaluate their effects on neuronal cultures. Methods SEZ6L2-abs were initially identified in serum and CSF of a patient with cerebellar ataxia by immunohistochemistry on rat brain sections and immunoprecipitation from rat cerebellar neurons. We used a cell-based assay (CBA) of HEK293 cells transfected with SEZ6L2 to test the serum of 95 patients with unclassified neuropil antibodies, 331 with different neurologic disorders, and 10 healthy subjects. Additional studies included characterization of immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses and the effects of SEZ6L2-abs on cultures of rat hippocampal neurons. Results In addition to the index patient, SEZ6L2-abs were identified by CBA in 3/95 patients with unclassified neuropil antibodies but in none of the 341 controls. The median age of the 4 patients was 62 years (range: 54-69 years), and 2 were female. Patients presented with subacute gait ataxia, dysarthria, and mild extrapyramidal symptoms. Initial brain MRI was normal, and CSF pleocytosis was found in only 1 patient. None improved with immunotherapy. SEZ6L2-abs recognized conformational epitopes. IgG4 SEZ6L2-abs were found in all 4 patients, and it was the predominant subclass in 2. SEZ6L2-abs did not alter the number of total or synaptic SEZ6L2 or the AMPA glutamate receptor 1 (GluA1) clusters on the surface of hippocampal neurons. Conclusions SEZ6L2-abs associate with a subacute cerebellar syndrome with frequent extrapyramidal symptoms. The potential pathogenic effect of the antibodies is not mediated by internalization of the antigen.Neurological Motor Disorder

Progress in autoimmune epileptic encephalitis

Purpose of review Autoimmune epileptic encephalopathy is a potentially treatable neurological syndrome characterized by the coexistence of a neuronal antibody in serum and, often, cerebrospinal fluid. Patients present with combinations of seizures, neuropsychiatric features, movement disorder, and cognitive decline, but some patients have isolated seizures either at first presentation or during their illness. This review summarizes our current understanding of the roles of specific neuronal antibodies in epilepsy-related syndromes and aims to aid the clinician in diagnosis and treatment. Recent findings Antigen discovery methods in three neuroimmunology centres independently identified antibodies to different subunits of the γ amino butyric acid-A receptor; high levels of these antibodies were found mainly in patients with severe refractory seizures. These and other antibodies were also found in a proportion (<10%) of children and adults with epilepsy. A clinical study comparing immunotherapy in patients with autoantibodies or without an identified target antigen found neuroinflammatory features were predictive of a therapeutic response. New in-vitro and in-vivo studies, and spontaneous animal models, have confirmed the pathogenicity and epileptogenicity of neuronal antibodies and their relevance to other mammals. Summary Neuronal antibodies are an important cause of autoimmune epileptic encephalopathy, early recognition is important as there may be an underlying tumour, and early treatment is associated with a better outcome. In the absence of an antibody, the clinician should adopt a pragmatic approach and consider a trial of immunotherapy when other causes have been excluded