title: Immunosuppressive treatment in lower motor neuron syndrome with autoantibodies against GM1 ganglioside.
abstract: We report the results of immunosuppressive treatment with intravenous cyclophosphamide in 12 patients with lower motor neuron syndrome and elevated titers of serum autoantibodies to GM1 ganglioside. All patients had lower motor neuron dysfunction including proximal or distal weakness, fasciculation and muscle atrophy, but no upper motor neuron dysfunction such as hyperreflexia, spasticity or Babinski's sign. Electrophysiological studies revealed no evidence of conduction block, but EMG findings of acute or chronic denervation in the limbs were present. Serum biochemistry and immunological studies were negative for M protein. After a 6-month follow-up, despite a fall in antibody titer, there was no significant clinical improvement in any of the patients.
authors.affiliation: Neurological Institute, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Z A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004576:Electromyography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside; D003520:Cyclophosphamide