Elevated titers of anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies in patients with multiple system atrophy: a pilot study

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2013 Nov;115(11):2348-50. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2013.08.013. Epub 2013 Sep 21.

Abstract

Objectives: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive neuronal loss and alpha-synuclein deposition in oligodendroglial cells in the central nervous system. The cause of MSA remains essentially unknown. A cerebellar syndrome was associated with autoimmune thyroid disease in some cases, apparently not related to MSA and was partially responsive to immunomodulatory therapy.

Patients and methods: 28 euthyroid patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for probable MSA, 11 with MSA-cerebellar type (MSA-C), 17 with MSA-parkinsonian type (MSA-P), 28 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 26 normal euthyroid controls were tested the for serum levels of anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (Anti-TG) antibodies (Ab).

Results: The laboratory results were statistically similar in all three groups, but 3 MSA-C patients had highly elevated anti-TPO Ab titers.

Conclusion: We identified the presence of elevated anti-TPO levels in a small subgroup of MSA-C patients but neither in MSA-P or PD patients nor in healthy controls. These findings may suggest an autoimmune etiology in some cases of MSA-C.

Keywords: Antithyroperoxidase antibodies; Autoimmune mechanisms; Cerebellar syndrome; Multiple system atrophy; Parkinson's disease.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Cerebellar Diseases / blood
  • Cerebellar Diseases / complications
  • Cerebellar Diseases / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple System Atrophy / complications
  • Multiple System Atrophy / immunology*
  • Parkinson Disease / complications
  • Parkinson Disease / immunology
  • Pilot Projects

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • anti-thyroglobulin