Autoimmune cerebellar ataxia associated with anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein 1 antibodies: Two pediatric cases

J Neuroimmunol. 2022 Sep 15:370:577918. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2022.577918. Epub 2022 Jun 25.

Abstract

Objectives: To report two pediatric cases of autoimmune cerebellar ataxia associated with the anti-Leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein 1 (LGI1)antibodies.

Methods: The clinical features of the two patients were described retrospectively. The indirect immunofluorescence using transfected cells (cell-based assay, CBA) and the rat cerebellum (tissue-based assay, TBA) with the multi-antigen co-plate biochip mosaic techniques were used to detect the antibodies. Clinical and laboratory characteristics were described.

Results: Two males were included. The onset ages were 2.7y and 4y, respectively. Patient 1 manifested as isolated acute cerebellar ataxia. Patient 2 had extra-cerebellar symptoms, including seizures, encephalopathy, faciobrachial dystonic seizures(FBDs), and significant cerebellar ataxia. The hyponatremia and tumors were not found. Both of them responded well to the immunotherapy.

Conclusions: The autoimmune cerebellar ataxia might be a new phenotype of LGI1-Abs autoimmunity in children.

Keywords: Autoimmune; Cerebellar ataxia; Child; LGI1; Leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein 1.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies
  • Autoantibodies
  • Cerebellar Ataxia* / complications
  • Glioma* / complications
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Leucine / therapeutic use
  • Limbic Encephalitis*
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Seizures / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Autoantibodies
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Leucine