Usefulness of the identification of antibodies in peripheral neuropathies, neuronopathies and ganglionopathies: review

Abstract

Introduction: Over the last several years the identification of both antineural antibodies and monoclonal gammopathies allowed a better understanding of pathophysiology and improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of many different immune mediated neuropathies. Objective: To describe the antineural antibodies of greater clinical utility in the diagnosis of immune mediated neuropathies and neuronopathies. In each case we underline their value in either the pathophysiology or diagnosis of these disorders as well as the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic techniques currently in use. Development: We will review the antibodies identified in 1) Guillain-Barré syndrome; 2) Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP); 3) Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN); 4) Chronic Ataxic Neuropathy Ophthalmoplegia M-protein Agglutination Disialosyl antibodies syndrome (CANOMAD); 5) Ganglionopathies and Neuropathies and the value of identifying monoclonal gammopathies. Conclusions: The antibodies and monoclonal gammopathies are useful tools in both the diagnosis and understanding of the mechanisms involved in immune mediated and cryptogenic neuropathies and orienting treatment.