title: Clinical and experimental studies of potentially pathogenic brain-directed autoantibodies: current knowledge and future directions.
abstract: The field of neuronal surface-directed antibody-mediated diseases of the central nervous system has dramatically expanded in the last few years and now forms an important cluster of treatable neurological conditions. In this review, we focus on three areas. First, we review the demographics, clinical features and treatment responses of these conditions. Second, we consider their pathophysiology and compare autoantibody mechanisms and their effects to genetic or pharmacological disruptions of the target antigens. Third, we discuss areas of controversy within the field, propose possible resolutions, and explore new directions for neuronal surface antibody-mediated diseases.
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, West Wing, Level 6, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Varley
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: Sarosh R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Irani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D020274:Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies