Anti-GQ1b IgG antibody is associated with ataxia as well as ophthalmoplegia

Muscle Nerve. 1999 Aug;22(8):1071-4. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199908)22:8<1071::aid-mus10>3.0.co;2-0.

Abstract

Close association between the increase in anti-GQ1b immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody and ophthalmoplegia in Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has been reported. We investigated whether anti-GQ1b IgG antibody also is associated with ataxia, another of the MFS triad. Of 149 patients who had anti-GQ1b IgG antibody without profound weakness, 144 showed ophthalmoplegia (120 showed both ophthalmoplegia and ataxia; 24, ophthalmoplegia without ataxia). In contrast, five showed ataxia without ophthalmoplegia. Some large neurons of the dorsal root ganglia were immunostained with anti-GQ1b monoclonal antibody. Anti-GQ1b IgG antibody may thus be associated with ataxia as well as ophthalmoplegia. Ataxia may be due to its binding to a subset of primary sensory neurons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies / immunology*
  • Ataxia / complications
  • Ataxia / immunology*
  • Ataxia / pathology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Gangliosides / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Ophthalmoplegia / complications
  • Ophthalmoplegia / immunology*
  • Ophthalmoplegia / pathology*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Gangliosides
  • GQ1b ganglioside