Anti-GAD Antibody-associated Syndrome Presenting with Limb Myoclonus

• Published in: Tremor and other hyperkinetic movements (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 8; p. 590
• Main Authors: Manzke, Pedro, Grippe, Talyta, Tavares, Georgia L, Leal, Lucas C, Roze, Emmanuel, Apartis, Emmanuelle, Maciel Dias, Ronaldo, Ferreira, André G F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Ubiquity Press 2018
• Subjects: Acids; Antibodies; Autoantibodies - blood; Biomarkers - blood; Cancer; Conflicts of interest; Convulsions & seizures; Electroencephalography; Electromyography; Epilepsy; Female; Glucocorticoids - administration & dosage; Glutamate Decarboxylase - blood; Humans; Hypotheses; Leg - pathology; Methylprednisolone - administration & dosage; Middle Aged; Myoclonus - blood; Myoclonus - diagnosis; Myoclonus - drug therapy; Neurophysiology; Patients; Steroids; Tomography; Tumors; epilepsy; Anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies; myoclonus; stiff person syndrome; autoimmunity
• ISSN: 2160-8288; 2160-8288
• DOI: 10.5334/TOHM.421

The clinical spectrum of anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibody-associated neurologic syndromes is expanding, with focal, generalized, and atypical forms. We describe a 59-year-old female showing continuous right lower limb myoclonus and mild encephalopathy. These symptoms started 2 weeks prior to evaluation. The patient had great improvement with intravenous steroids. An autoantibody panel was positive for anti-GAD. Various clinical manifestations, including myoclonus, may relate to anti-GAD antibodies. The treatment options available include symptomatic drugs, intravenous immunoglobulin, steroids, and other immunosuppressant agents.