title: Progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus: glycine and NMDA receptor antibodies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The syndrome of progressive encephalopathy with limb rigidity has been historically termed progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus (PERM) or stiff-person syndrome plus.
  
  
  METHODS
  The case is presented of a previously healthy 28-year-old man with a rapidly fatal form of PERM developing over 2 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum antibodies to both NMDA receptors (NMDAR) and glycine receptors (GlyR) were detected postmortem, and examination of the brain confirmed an autoimmune encephalomyelitis, with particular involvement of hippocampal pyramidal and cerebellar Purkinje cells and relative sparing of the neocortex. No evidence for an underlying systemic neoplasm was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case displayed not only the clinical features of PERM, previously associated with GlyR antibodies, but also some of the features associated with NMDAR antibodies. This unusual combination of antibodies may be responsible for the particularly progressive course and sudden death.
authors.affiliation: Oxford University Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Irani
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nithi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ansorge
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D004679:Encephalomyelitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009127:Muscle Rigidity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D018009:Receptors, Glycine / Q000276:immunology*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000276:immunology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D018009:Receptors, Glycine; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate