title: Autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase in palatal myoclonus and epilepsy.
abstract: We report the presence of serum autoantibodies directed against glutamic acid decarboxylase in a patient with epilepsy and palatal myoclonus not associated with brain lesions. Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody reactivity was dependent on the presence of carboxy-terminal amino acids, similar to that reported in patients with stiff-man syndrome. Marked reduction in the frequency of epileptic attacks and improvement in palatal myoclonus occurred when benzodiazepine was administered and phenytoin was gradually tapered. Testing for anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies may be indicated in patients with palatal myoclonus and with convulsive disorders refractory to therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Milan, Istituto Scientifico S. Raffaele, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nemni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Braghi
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Natali-Sora
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lampasona
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonifacio
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Comi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Canal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D017029:Epilepsy, Complex Partial / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology*; D010160:Palate, Soft
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase