title: GABA-B-receptor antibodies in paraneoplastic brainstem encephalitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gamma-aminobutyric-acid B (GABA-B)-receptor encephalitis represents a novel entity among autoimmune CNS disorders. Most cases are characterised by limbic encephalitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 63-year-old patient presented with acute vertigo, nausea and vomiting, facial palsy and dysarthria. He developed dysphagia, gait ataxia and, finally, respiratory failure. Antibodies to GABA-B receptors were positive and declined under treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone and plasma exchange, followed by clinical improvement and stabilisation. Broad tumour screening revealed oesophageal carcinoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The spectrum of neurological manifestations and tumours associated with the paraneoplastic variant of anti-GABA-B-receptor encephalitis may be broader than previously reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. sibu.mundiyanapurath@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mundiyanapurath
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jarius
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Probst
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stöcker
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wildemann
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bösel
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020361:Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Nervous System / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B