Neurology – Featured

Anastasia Zekeridou, M.D., Ph.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' updated panels and methodology boost the accuracy and efficiency of testing for three autoimmune neurology biomarkers. Early diagnosis is key to managing debilitating conditions associated with these antibodies.

Divyanshu Dubey, M.B.B.S., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' unique PDE10A and TRIM46 tests facilitate the management of central nervous system disorders triggered by cancers. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for managing disabling neurological symptoms and malignancy.

Rapidly progressive dementia (RPD) is an umbrella term covering many devasting conditions, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Gregory (Gregg) Day, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' unique RPD evaluation and new CJD test help pinpoint diagnosis, to guide prognosis and treatment decisions.

What started as a persistent headache for Spencer Lodin soon devolved into slowed speech, seizures, and hallucinations, symptoms which stumped ER doctors into thinking he had meningitis or was suffering from psychosis. Finally, specialized testing at Mayo Clinic identified Spencer's condition as GFAP-IgG associated autoimmune encephalitis, which allowed for targeted treatment and a full recovery.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories has marked a significant advancement in the fight against Alzheimer's disease with the introduction of an innovative diagnostic test. This noninvasive blood test accurately detects the p-Tau217 biomarker, indicative of amyloid beta accumulation in the brain. This test is set to transform the approach to Alzheimer's disease management, offering a convenient and less invasive alternative to traditional diagnostic methods.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories introduces the Inherited Parkinson’s Disease Gene Panel (Mayo ID: PARDP), a collaborative breakthrough poised to transform Parkinson’s disease diagnosis and treatment. Led by Rodolfo Savica, M.D., Ph.D., and Zhiyv (Neal) Niu, Ph.D., this comprehensive test offers unparalleled insights into Parkinson’s genetics, unveiling novel gene associations and enhancing diagnostic precision through next-generation sequencing. The panel’s capabilities include detecting subtle genetic variations and identifying familial patterns, promising personalized medicine advancements.

Alicia Algeciras-Schimnich, Ph.D., discusses Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ new noninvasive plasma biomarker assay for Alzheimer’s disease, an accessible, highly accurate testing option for individuals age 50 and above who are experiencing mild cognitive impairment or early dementia. Positive test results can confirm amyloid beta pathology and facilitate access to disease-modifying therapies.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories is thrilled to participate in the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, which will be held in Denver on April 13–17, 2024.

Join Mayo Clinic Laboratories at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting 2024.

Multiple doctors and multiple examinations could not figure out why Lauri Sieben had spent much of her life “never feeling quite right” physically. Fortunately for Lauri, that changed after her daughter Christy began working as a genetic counselor in Mayo Clinic’s Molecular Technologies Laboratory. After seeing similarities between the patient testing she was performing for the lab and the physical symptoms being experienced by her mom, Christy took a leading role in getting Lauri to undergo molecular and biochemical testing at Mayo Clinic. The results of that testing not only provided much-needed answers, but a promising path forward for Lauri.

Antibody against the GABA-A receptor is a biomarker of autoimmune encephalopathy that occurs across the lifespan, and disproportionately affects children. In this test-specific episode of the "Answers From the Lab" podcast, Andrew McKeon, M.B., B.Ch., M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' GABA-A receptor antibody assay aids diagnosis of this serious but treatable condition.

One summer morning, James Kypuros awoke to find his toes stiffened like claws. Then he started having falls, which culminated in losing his ability to walk or even sit up without help. Diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, James wouldn’t find hope or relief until he was treated for glycine receptor antibody syndrome following specialized testing by Mayo Clinic.

Tying together the expertise and curiosity of Mayo Clinic autoimmune neurology researchers with eager patients who have rare disease and are looking for answers, the innovative collaboration benefits both patients affected by MOGAD and scientists on the front lines of discovery.