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What is the significance of isolated increase of Asialo-GM1 antibodies with nerve conduction suggestive of sensory motor axonal polyneuropathy?

1 Answer
Mednet Member
Neurology · Emory University
Answered on

These autoantibodies need to be interpreted with clinical context.

Generally, GM1 IgM antibodies are associated with multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block (MMN), which is a pure motor syndrome with acquired demyelinating features on nerve conductions/EMG.

GM1 IgG antibodies are typically associated with acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) - a GBS variant. 

If the patient has a clinical history, exam, and electrodiagnostic studies consistent with either of these entities (MMN, AMAN) and the appropriate autoantibody that is one thing. But if the patient has a more chronic and insidious prototypical sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy I'm not sure that there is an association between the condition and the abnormal laboratory test.