title: A dystonic syndrome associated with anti-basal ganglia antibodies.
abstract: Anti-basal ganglia antibodies (ABGA) have been associated with movement disorders (usually tics and chorea) and psychiatric disturbance in children. This report describes five adult and adolescent patients (one male, four females; mean age of onset, 16 years (range, 13-35)) who presented subacutely with a clinical syndrome dominated by dystonia and had ABGA binding to antigens of similar molecular weights to those seen in Sydenham's chorea. Three patients had a clear history of respiratory infection before the onset of their symptoms. Three patients received immunosuppressive treatment, with three showing a notable reduction in symptoms. It is hypothesised that dystonia in adults or adolescents may be part of the clinical spectrum of the post-infectious syndrome associated with ABGA.
authors.affiliation: Sobell Department of Movement Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Church
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giovannoni
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Bhatia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D020274:Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / Q000276:immunology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000276:immunology*; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D002819:Chorea / Q000276:immunology; D020821:Dystonic Disorders / Q000276:immunology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018716:Molecular Mimicry / Q000276:immunology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000276:immunology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous