GLYCINE RECEPTOR ANTIBODY—A MARKER FOR NMO/ NON-MS DEMYELINATION?

<jats:sec><jats:title>Background</jats:title><jats:p>Antibodies against glycine receptors (GlyR Ab) have been strongly linked to progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus (PERM). Their association with other neurological disorders is poorly understood.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>We looked retrospectively at all patients who were tested for (GlyR Abs) in the Walton Centre between 2010–2014.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>138 patients were tested. The pre-test diagnoses (n) were transverse myelitis (34), NMO (22, (7 AQP4 IgG+ve and 15 AQP4 IgG-ve), optic neuritis (17), MS (22), ADEM (4), other atypical demyelination (4), encephalitis (11), epilepsy (4), dementia (4), parkinsonism (3), functional disorders (3) and others (10). 53.6% (74) had a relapsing course</jats:p><jats:p>6/138 (4%) were positive for GlyR Ab. The diagnoses (n) were optic neuritis (2) one of which was AQP4 IgG+ve, NMO-AQP4-IgG negative (1), transverse myelitis (1), tumefactive demyelination (1) and undiagnosed spastic ataxic syndrome with normal imaging (1). 5/6 had a relapsing course and are on immunosuppressants.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>Antibodies against GlyR are not common and seem to be associated with some non-PERM inflammatory CNS diseases, with a relapsing course. Larger studies are required to understand the clinical and prognostic significance of these early findings.</jats:p></jats:sec>