Abnormal glycosylation of motor neurons with N-acetyl-D-galactosamine in a case of subacute motor neuronopathy associated with lymphoma.

Lectins, glycine max (SBA) and Vicia villosa (VVA), which identify terminal N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc), stained the motor neurons of a patient with subacute motor neuronopathy associated with neoplastic angioendotheliosis. In normal controls and in patients with other neurological disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, neither lectin stained motor neurons. Abnormal glycosylation of motor neurons with terminal galNAc may be associated with the pathogenesis of subacute motor neuronopathy in this patient.