No Overlap among Serum GAD65, NMDAR and AQP4 Antibodies in Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether serum glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor (NMDAR), and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) autoantibodies coexist in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO)/NMO spectrum disorders (NMOSD).

METHODS

Serum samples were collected from 98 patients with NMO/NMOSD. Serum GAD65, NMDAR and AQP4 antibodies were measured using a cell-based assay.

RESULTS

A total of 63 patients (64.3%) had myelitis and optic neuritis and satisfied the revised diagnostic criteria for NMO. Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis was seen on spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging, showing continuous T2-weighted signal abnormalities in at least three vertebral segments in 26 patients (26.5%); 5 patients (5.1%) had recurrent optic neuritis, and 4 patients (4.1%) had brain syndromes with optic neuritis and myelitis. None of the 98 patients had diabetes, stiff-man syndrome, or epilepsy. All 98 patients tested positive for AQP4 antibody. No patients tested positive for GAD65 and NMDAR antibodies.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, we found no simultaneous presence of serum GAD65, NMDAR and AQP4 antibodies in patients with NMO/NMOSD.