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Mayo Clinic Laboratories > Neurology > Autoimmune

Autoimmune neurology

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At the forefront of a testing evolution

Autoimmune neurology is a rapidly evolving subspecialty driven by the discovery that the immune system can target virtually any structure within the central and peripheral nervous systems. These conditions manifest as disorders previously thought to be independent and unrelated, and early and accurate diagnosis is paramount.

We are leading an evolution in autoimmune neurology diagnosis, with a phenotype-specific testing approach to effectively diagnose and guide treatment for these patients.

AUTOIMMUNE NEUROLOGY TEST MENU

Dementia Dementia
Dementia

Using an indirect immunofluorescence assay, our autoimmune dementia panel evaluates for the presence of nearly 20 antibodies associated with immune-mediated dementia.  

Dysautonomia Dysautonomia
Dysautonomia

Our innovative dysautonomia evaluation uses a number of testing methods to detect clinically relevant antibodies, including a unique, live cell-based binding flow cytometry assay, to detect alpha-3-AChR antibodies, which are the most commonly identified antibody for the disorder. 

Encephalopathy Encephalopathy
Encephalopathy

Recently identified as being as common as infectious encephalitis, autoimmune encephalitis can have devastating results when misdiagnosed. Our testing features both robust panels and unique stand-alone evaluations to detect antibodies related to rare and complex cases of autoimmune encephalopathy. Developed by some of the world’s most knowledgeable autoimmune neurology specialists, our encephalopathy evaluations can pinpoint the correct cause and propel appropriate treatment.

Epilepsy Epilepsy
Epilepsy

Proper identification of immune-mediated epilepsy is vital to directing appropriate treatment. Our autoimmune epilepsy evaluation detects for more than a dozen antibody biomarkers related to autoimmune causes.

Movement disorders Movement disorders
Movement disorders

Our comprehensive autoimmune movement disorders panel is continuously updated to include newly discovered antibody biomarkers and uses advanced testing approaches to detect actionable antibodies. Data-backed and developed by our autoimmune neurology experts, our evaluations include detection of several antibody biomarkers available only at Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

Myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton Myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton
Myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton

Our reflexive approach to testing for myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton syndrome optimizes diagnosis to expedite treatment. Consisting of upfront and confirmatory antibody testing, followed by automatic second-line testing, our diagnostic algorithm enables faster, more accurate answers for more patients.

Myelopathy Myelopathy
Myelopathy

Mayo Clinic Laboratories is the only laboratory in the world to offer testing for a novel form of relapsing autoimmune meningoencephalomyelitis. Known as autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy, the antibody is one of more than a dozen included in our phenotypic-specific autoimmune myelopathy evaluation.

Necrotizing autoimmune myopathy Necrotizing autoimmune myopathy
Necrotizing autoimmune myopathy

Our necrotizing autoimmune myopathy evaluation detects for HMGCR-IgG and SRP-IgG, which are the two most pertinent antibodies associated with the devastating condition.

Neuropathies Neuropathies
Neuropathies

We offer a full menu of autoimmune neuropathy tests that evaluate for specific antibody biomarkers linked to the illness. Using electrophysiology test results as a determining factor for which test to order, our expert-backed evaluations provide accurate results to confirm diagnosis and set patients on the best treatment path.

Pediatric disorders Pediatric disorders
Pediatric disorders

Designed specifically for children, our unique profile includes only those antibodies pertinent to pediatric central nervous system disorders.

Vision loss Vision loss
Vision loss

Including antibodies known for their association with paraneoplastic retinopathy or cancer-associated retinopathy, our distinct autoimmune vision loss panel can help individuals with rapidly progressive vision loss when paraneoplastic causes, such as retinopathy or optic neuritis, are suspected.  

A history of innovation and discovery

The Mayo Clinic Neuroimmunology Laboratory was the first to introduce comprehensive serological evaluations for the diagnosis of paraneoplastic neurologic autoimmune disorders, a group of disorders in which unusual neurologic signs and symptoms are the initial manifestations of cancer.

The laboratory continues to discover and clinically validate novel autoantibody profiles that inform neurological decision-making and guide the search for cancer, leading an evolution in autoimmune neurology diagnosis. Powered by expertise from our research labs, clinical labs, and Autoimmune Neurology Clinic, we have developed panels customized to address specific phenotypes. This approach delivers more clinically actionable results, providing a clear picture of the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options.

“Clinicians are used to looking for patterns in their clinical work, and we’re transferring that expertise into a clinical laboratory space. That’s not something that you learn overnight — it’s gained with experience over years.”

Andrew McKeon, M.B., B.Ch., M.D.

News and updates

The latest

How Mayo Clinic Advances Autoimmune Neurology Testing featured image
How Mayo Clinic Advances Autoimmune Neurology Testing

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss a new collaboration and a Mayo Clinic-led study focused on detecting DNA mutations. Later, Dr. Pritt welcomes Andrew McKeon, M.B., B.Ch., M.D., and Anastasia Zekeridou, M.D., Ph.D., co-directors of Mayo Clinic’s Neuroimmunology Laboratory, to discuss how they are advancing patient care.

Learn more
Glycine receptor Ab as a marker of stiff-person syndrome spectrum disorder

Find out how we use glycine receptor Ab as a marker of stiff-person syndrome spectrum disorder.

Risk of false positives with AQP4 ELISA methodology

Learn more about the risks of false positives with AQP4 ELISA methodology in CNS demyelinating disease testing.

Treatable autoimmune encephalitis diagnosed with phenotype-specific evaluation

Learn how a phenotype-specific autoimmune neurology evaluation diagnosed a treatable autoimmune encephalitis condition that was missed with a traditional paraneoplastic evaluation.

Neurofascin 155 IgG4 antibodies, a specific marker of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

Find out how our testing uses neurofascin 155 IgG4 antibodies as a specific marker of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy.

MOG-IgG as a marker of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis

Learn more about our CNS demyelinating disease testing through this case study focused on MOG-IgG as a marker of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.

Autoimmune Neurology: Phenotype-Based Testing

This webinar will discuss how autoimmune neurology testing has changed with expanding antibody discovery and why a patient-first, phenotype-specific approach improves test selection and interpretation.

Pediatric Autoimmune Neurologic Disorders

In this presentation, Eoin Flanagan, M.B., B.Ch., a leading specialist in neuroimmunology at Mayo Clinic, provides a clear and clinically focused overview of autoimmune conditions that affect the developing nervous system.

Precision epilepsy testing

Learn more about how Precision Epilepsy testing at Mayo Clinic Laboratories enables a holistic diagnostic care experience that supports better outcomes for patients with epilepsy.

AQP4-IgG FACS Assay Update

Mayo Clinic Laboratories invites you to explore our latest microlearning on neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). In this concise educational module, Sean Pittock, M.D., explains the critical role of AQP4-IgG testing in the early diagnosis and treatment of NMOSD.

Rational Approaches to Testing in the MCI/Dementia Setting

In this video, Dr. Vijay Ramanan shares perspectives on rational approaches to testing in the cognitive neurology, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia settings.

Autoimmune Neurology: Phenotype-Based Testing

November 3, 2025 - In this video, Dr. Andrew McKeon describes how the field of autoimmune neurology testing has changed with the explosion of antibody discovery and discusses the importance of a patient-first, phenotype-based approach.

CNS Demyelinating Diseases and Pediatric Profiles

September 29, 2025 - This session provides an in depth overview of evolving diagnostic approaches in neuroimmunology.

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Resources
Learn more Autoimmune neurology antibody matrix
Learn more Antibody prevalence in epilepsy and encephalopathy (APE2) score
Learn more Autoimmune neurology test ordering guide
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