title: Autoimmune ataxic neuropathies (sensory ganglionopathies).
abstract: Autoimmune ataxic neuropathies are a subset of the sensory ataxic neuropathies which are characterized by ataxia as the dominant presenting feature. The major known causes of autoimmune ataxic neuropathies include sensory variants of the Guillain-Barré syndrome, including Miller-Fisher syndrome, subsets of immunoglobulin M paraproteinaemic neuropathy, paraneoplastic neuropathy and the neuropathy associated with Sjögren's syndrome. Identified antigens as targets for autoantibodies include gangliosides, myelin associated glycoprotein, Hu antigen and extractable nuclear antigens. Some recent studies support the pathogenic role of anti-GD1b ganglioside antibody in autoimmune ataxic neuropathies. The major site of pathology in autoimmune ataxic neuropathies is the dorsal root ganglion, but dorsal roots and peripheral nerve myelin and axons may also be affected.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Neurology, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: O'Leary
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Willison
mesh_terms: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D051959:ELAV Proteins; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000276:immunology*; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007699:Kinesthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D051959:ELAV Proteins; D005732:Gangliosides; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins