Axonal autoimmune neuropathies
A Targeted testing approach
Patients with axonal autoimmune neuropathy have variable sensory and motor disturbance and can present with symptoms that result from injury to the distal nerves, roots, ganglia, or their gathering points. Patients may have symmetric or asymmetric involvements of the extremities, trunk, and head, including extraocular muscles. Subacute onset and asymmetric involvements more commonly indicate inflammatory or immune causes rather than inherited or metabolic forms. Other parts of the nervous system may also be affected based on the specific inflammatory or immune-mediated causes.
Because of the overlap of clinical symptoms, we recommend a panel-based approach rather than individual antibody testing.
Axonal autoimmune neuropathies Test menu
Axonal
Key testing
Advantages
- Evaluates specific antibodies with clinical relevance to autoimmune or paraneoplastic neuropathies.
- Provides clarity on etiology and prognosis.
- Facilitates selection of targeted treatment.
Highlights
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.
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.
References
- Dubey D, Lennon V, Gadoth A, et al. Autoimmune CRMP5 neuropathy phenotype and outcome defined from 105 cases. Neurology. 2018 Jan 9;90(2):e103-e110. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000004803. Epub 2017 Dec 8.
- Dubey D, Jitprapaikulsan J, et al. Amphiphysin-IgG autoimmune neuropathy: A recognizable clinicopathologic syndrome. Neurology. 2019 Nov 12;93(20):e1873-e1880. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000008472. Epub 2019 Oct 17.
- McKeon A, Pittock S. Paraneoplastic encephalomyelopathies: pathology and mechanisms. Acta Neuropathol.2011 Oct;122(4):381-400. doi:10.1007/s00401-011-0876-1. Epub 2011 Sep 22.