The many faces of anti-glycine receptor related disease: a case series and literature review. Issue 5 (8th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Swayne, Andrew; Tjoa, Linda; Wong, Richard; Gillis, David; Schweitzer, Daniel; Tsang, Benjamin; McNabb, Andrew; Broadley, Simon; Blum, Stefan
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 88:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: e1
• Page End: e1
• Publication Date: 2017-05-08
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2017-316074.15
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: Neurological disorders linked to antibodies against the glycine receptor were first comprehensibly described in Carvajal-Gonzalez et al's 2014 case series of 42 patients. 1 Of the 42 patients the majority of cases (33) displayed features of Progressive Encephalomyelitis with Rigidity and Myoclonus (PERM). Epilepsy or seizures were present in 4 cases, 2 of which were also associated with PERM. This report aims to broaden the clinical understanding of anti-glycine receptor antibody associated neurological disease by presenting data showing a much stronger association with seizures and epilepsy than previously reported. Methods: Literature review and retrospective analysis of 11 cases of anti-glycine receptor associated neurological disease across multiple neurology centres in Queensland, Australia. Results: Eleven cases were identified, with all cases known to the authors. Of the 11 cases, five had seizures/epilepsy as a prominent part of the presentation whereas two cases displayed features of PERM. A review of the literature revealed 103 cases of anti-glycine receptor antibody positive subjects. Of these 55 had clinical findings consistent with PERM, 36 had seizures/epilepsy and 20 had other neurological conditions. Some patients had more than one of these categories in their presentation. Conclusions: Anti-glycine receptor antibody related neurological disease encompasses a broader clinical spectrum than originally reported with a greater association with epileptic seizures demonstrated both in the case series presented and in a review of the literature.