Antibodies against the metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1 antibodies)

Metabotropic glutamate receptors type 1 are mainly found on cerebellar Purkinje cells, thus they belong to the group of surface-antigens. A subacute cerebellar ataxia is the leading symptom in patients with mGluR1-antibodies, partly accompanied by other symptoms such as dysarthria or dysgeusia.

The first two patients with mGluR1-antibodies have already been described in the year 2000. Both developed cerebellar ataxia during a remission phase of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (1).

Meanwhile it is known that these antibodies can occur even without tumor association. CSF may show pleocytosis or intrathecal IgG-synthesis, the MRI shows no specific changes. An association especially with lymphomas was described; in most of the cases, no tumor was found.

The diagnostics for mGluR1 antibodies are part of the standard program for neural antibodies at Labor Krone.

Literature:
1. Sillevis Smitt P et al. (2000): N Engl J Med 342:21-27
2. Marignier R et al.(2010): Arch Neurol 67: 627–630
3. Lancaster E (2017): Curr Opin Neurol 30:354-360
4. Lopez-Chiriboga A S et al.(2016):Neurology  86:1009–1013