Anti-GM1 antibodies are not associated with cerebral atrophy in patients with multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to correlate the brain atrophy with serum levels of anti-GM1 antibodies in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).


METHODS
Plasma sample from 52 patients with RRMS and 65 healthy controls were examined for anti-GM1 antibodies. Patients with RRMS underwent to MRI study with automated method called SIENAX that calculated an estimate of gray matter (GM(V)) and white matter (WM(V)) volumes.


RESULTS
The percentage of RRMS patients with increased anti-GM1 was 37.8%. Elevated levels of anti-GM1 antibodies did not correlate with brain atrophy.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-GM1 antibodies do not represent a marker of axonal damage in patients with RRMS.
Institute of Neurology, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy.
P
P
Valentino
A
A
Labate
R
R
Nisticò
D
D
Pirritano
A
A
Cerasa
M
M
Liguori
L
L
Bastone
L
L
Crescibene
A
A
Quattrone
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside