Anti-GQ1b IgG antibody is associated with ataxia as well as ophthalmoplegia

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Abstract
Close association between the increase in anti‐GQ1b immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody and ophthalmoplegia in Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) and Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) has been reported. We investigated whether anti‐GQ1b IgG antibody also is associated with ataxia, another of the MFS triad. Of 149 patients who had anti‐GQ1b IgG antibody without profound weakness, 144 showed ophthalmoplegia (120 showed both ophthalmoplegia and ataxia; 24, ophthalmoplegia without ataxia). In contrast, five showed ataxia without ophthalmoplegia. Some large neurons of the dorsal root ganglia were immunostained with anti‐GQ1b monoclonal antibody. Anti‐GQ1b IgG antibody may thus be associated with ataxia as well as ophthalmoplegia. Ataxia may be due to its binding to a subset of primary sensory neurons. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 22: 1071–1074, 1999