title: Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel Antibodies in Slow-Progression Motor Neuron Disease.
abstract: The spectrum of autoimmune neurological diseases associated with voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC)-complex antibodies (Abs) ranges from peripheral nerve disorders to limbic encephalitis. Recently, low titers of VGKC-complex Abs have also been reported in neurodegenerative disorders, but their clinical relevance is unknown.
  
  
  
  The aim of the study was to explore the prevalence of VGKC-complex Abs in slow-progression motor neuron disease (MND).
  
  
  
  We compared 11 patients affected by slow-progression MND with 9 patients presenting typical progression illness. Sera were tested for VGKC-complex Abs by radioimmunoassay. The distribution of VGKC-complex Abs was analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test.
  
  
  
  The statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the mean values in the study and control groups. A case with long-survival MND harboring VGKC-complex Abs and treated with intravenous immunoglobulins is described.
  
  
  
  Although VGKC-complex Abs are not likely to be pathogenic, these results could reflect the coexistence of an immunological activation in patients with slow disease progression.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, La Spezia, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Godani
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zoccarato
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beronio
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zuliani
authors.forename: Luana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Benedetti
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Giometto
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Sette
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Raggio
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baldi
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vincent
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / Q000276:immunology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated