IgA NMDA receptor antibodies are markers of synaptic immunity in slow cognitive impairment.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To report that antibodies to synaptic proteins may occur in association with slow, progressive cognitive decline.

Methods

A total of 24 patients with progressive cognitive dysfunction of unclear etiology were examined for onconeuronal and synaptic receptor antibodies. The effect of serum was examined in cultures of dissociated mouse hippocampal neurons.

Results

Seven patients had immunoglobulin A (IgA), but no immunoglobulin G (IgG), antibodies against NMDA receptor (NMDAR). Anti-NMDAR IgA positive patients' serum, but not serum from control individuals, caused dramatic decrease of the levels of NMDAR and other synaptic proteins in neurons, along with prominent changes in NMDAR-mediated currents. These effects correlated with the titer of IgA NMDAR antibodie

SUBMITTER: Pruss H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3359581 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature