Autoimmune Neurology

PACE/State of FL - In this month’s “Virtual Lecture,” John Mills, Ph.D., provides information related to work that has been done in Mayo Clinic’s neuroimmunology laboratory which has played a central role in driving the field of autoimmune neurology. Over time it has driven an increase in testing volume, a number of different testing platforms, testing complexity, and a constant influx of novel laboratory-developed tests.

Alicia Algeciras, Ph.D., describes Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ new blood test to detect NFLC, or neurofilament light chain protein. NFLC is a biomarker for several neurodegenerative conditions. The new assay can determine if a patient’s cognitive decline is due to a neurodegenerative condition or some other, reversible condition — while avoiding the need for more-invasive testing of cerebrospinal fluid.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories is leading an evolution in autoimmune neurology diagnosis. To better reflect this testing evolution, and to reduce confusion and improve utilization for our clients, effective April 28, we are renaming our phenotype-specific evaluations.

Andrew McKeon, M.B., B.Ch., M.D., an expert in neuroimmunology, joins the "Answers From the Lab" podcast for a conversation with Bobbi Pritt, M.D. In this episode, Dr. McKeon and Dr. Pritt discuss how Mayo Clinic is pioneering advancements in the field of autoimmune neurology, how these discoveries were made, and why they are important to both patients and physicians.

This “Specialty Testing” webinar will discuss the considerations physicians must weigh when evaluating suspected neuropathy patients with special emphasis put on small-fiber neuropathy and the most appropriate laboratory testing related to that phenotype.

Mayo Clinic researchers have developed and validated a new antibody test to diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS). The new test is an automated and cost-effective method compared to other tests used to diagnose MS, according to the research published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. The test is now available through Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

Div Dubey, M.B.B.S., explains Mayo Clinic Laboratories' phenotypic testing approach for autoimmune axonal neuropathy. The comprehensive, serologic panel detects for antibodies with clinical relevance to the disease to provide clarity on etiology, prognosis, and treatment choices.

Advanced testing at Mayo Clinic Laboratories that confirmed a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis put Lorinda McKinley on the road to renewed health after she nearly lost it all to the rare autoimmune disease.

In this month’s “Hot Topic,” Sean Pittock, M.D., explains Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) and the critical importance of a sensitive and specific AQP4-IgG laboratory test for early diagnosis and treatment.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories has launched a first-in-the-U.S. autoimmune test of the Kelchlike protein 11 antibody, or KLHL11, which is used to detect autoimmune disease associated with testicular cancer.

In this month’s “Hot Topic,” Andrew McKeon, M.B., B.Ch., M.D., reviews the use of neurological phenotype-based evaluations, the move away from the paraneoplastic evaluation, and upcoming changes to test profiles.

Andrew McKeon, M.B., B.Ch., M.D., discusses updates that are being made to Mayo Clinic Laboratories' autoimmune profile that will remove some antibodies from those profiles. He describes the rationale behind the updates, reviews which antibodies are involved, and explains how the changes will streamline testing and enhance test interpretation.

Based on studies that have shown certain antibodies may not be as clinically relevant to autoimmune testing as previously thought, Mayo Clinic Laboratories is updating a number of its autoimmune profiles by removing some antibodies from them.