Case report: Successful autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a patient with GAD antibody-spectrum disorder with rapidly progressive dementia

Caio César Diniz Disserol; Dora Pedroso Kowacs; Samir Kanaan Nabhan; Hélio Afonso Ghizoni Teive; Pedro André Kowacs

doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1254981

Case report: Successful autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a patient with GAD antibody-spectrum disorder with rapidly progressive dementia

Front Neurol. 2023 Oct 19:14:1254981. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1254981. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Caio César Diniz Disserol^{1

2}, Dora Pedroso Kowacs¹, Samir Kanaan Nabhan³, Hélio Afonso Ghizoni Teive², Pedro André Kowacs^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Instituto de Neurologia de Curitiba, Curitiba, Brazil.
² Department of Neurology, Complexo do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.
³ Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.

Abstract

The prevalence of neurological syndromes associated with antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase is increasing. While cognitive impairment is a common feature of this condition, it seldom emerges as the primary symptom. In this study, we discuss a case of refractory dementia associated with the glutamic acid decarboxylase spectrum disorder. Interestingly, this case showed a favorable outcome following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We also provide an in-depth review of the current literature on the use of this therapeutic approach for the treatment of this disease.

Keywords: autoimmune diseases of the nervous system; dementia; encephalitis; glutamic acid decarboxylase; neurocognitive disorders.

Publication types

Case Reports

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.