AQP4 autoantibodies in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus

• Published in: Journal of neuroimmunology Vol. 349; p. 577407
• Main Authors: Gastaldi, Matteo, Todisco, Massimiliano, Carlin, Giorgia, Scaranzin, Silvia, Zardini, Elisabetta, Minafra, Brigida, Zangaglia, Roberta, Pichiecchio, Anna, Reindl, Markus, Jarius, Sven, Pacchetti, Claudio, Franciotta, Diego
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.12.2020
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aquaporin 4; Aquaporin 4 - blood; Aquaporin 4 - cerebrospinal fluid; Autoantibodies; Autoantibodies - blood; Autoantibodies - cerebrospinal fluid; Biomarkers - blood; Biomarkers - cerebrospinal fluid; Female; Glymphatic system; Humans; Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure - blood; Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure - cerebrospinal fluid; Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure - diagnostic imaging; Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus; Male; Middle Aged; Neuromyelitis optica; Prospective Studies; Aquaporin 4; Glymphatic system; Neuromyelitis optica; Autoantibodies; Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus
• ISSN: 0165-5728; 1872-8421; 1872-8421
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2020.577407

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a common neurological disorder with unknown etiology. A selective depletion of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) has been shown in iNPH patients. We collected serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 43 iNPH patients and 35 with other neurodegenerative conditions, and serum from 43 healthy subjects. All samples were tested for AQP4-IgG/IgA/IgM antibodies using a live cell-based assay. No patients or controls had serum/CSF AQP4-IgG/IgA. One/43 iNPH patient and 0/43 controls tested positive for serum AQP4-IgM. The AQP4-IgM-positive iNPH patient had no clinico-radiological distinctive features. AQP4 antibodies are unlikely to play a role in iNPH pathogenesis. [Display omitted] •AQP4 dysfunction has been possibly implicated in normal pressure hydrocephalus.•AQP4-IgG antibodies are not found in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus.•AQP-IgM are rare in normal pressure hydrocephalus, and have uncertain meaning.