Autoimmune neurology
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
Find out how our suite of autoimmune movement disorder testing can help diagnose PDE10A autoimmunity in patients who present with hyperkinetic movement disorders.
Joe Mondloch and his wife Sue have existed in a grey area of uncertainty due to the unpredictable autoimmune neurological illness Joe has lived with for the last seven years. Rare, incurable, and debilitating, the newly classified disorder can be hard to manage. But thanks to information and direction provided by a rare disease advocacy group, the Mondlochs sought care at Mayo Clinic and received much more than answers.
Sean Pittock, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' novel Ma2 test aids diagnosis of autoimmune neurology disorders that are often caused by underlying cancer. Rapid diagnosis is key to preventing significant disability and disease.
In this test-specific episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, and Bjorn Oskarsson, M.D., a neurologist at Mayo Clinic’s Florida campus, discuss how the neurofilament light chain test available through Mayo Clinic Laboratories helps physicians diagnose neurological disease and assess neuronal damage.
Andrew McKeon, M.B., B.Ch., M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' expanded movement disorders panel better identifies autoimmune conditions to guide appropriate treatment.
PACEIn this month’s “Virtual Lecture” Eoin Flanagan, M.D., B.Ch., reviews how to diagnose autoimmune encephalitis, what to watch that may suggest a different diagnosis, discuss neural autoantibodies interpretation and putting test results into clinical context.
Education on this topic decreases misdiagnosis and the possibility of misinterpreting the comments provided by the reporting laboratories.
Ed Garber spent months in physical and neurological decline while a cohort of care providers and specialists searched for the root cause of his symptoms. That search for answers ended after testing by Mayo Clinic Laboratories gave them the confirmatory diagnosis they needed.
Andrew McKeon, M.B., B.Ch., M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' pediatric autoimmune/CNS testing can better guide the treatment of autoimmune neurological diseases in children. The tailored evaluation covers only biomarkers relevant to pediatric presentations of the diseases.
Divyanshu (Div) Dubey, M.B.B.S., describes Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new diagnostic test for CIDP, or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. The new test detects two antibodies — NF155 and CNTN1 — to enhance diagnosis and guide treatment decisions. Often misdiagnosed, CIDP is treatable if detected early.
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.