Zekeridou, Anastasia

Objective To characterize regional brain atrophy patterns, evaluate their association with regional leucine‐rich glioma‐inactivated‐1 ( LGI1 ) gene expression, and identify clinical predictors of hippocampal atrophy in LGI1 autoimmune encephalitis (AE). Methods This study compared regional brain volumes in LGI1‐AE patients versus age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls (HC) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. LGI1 gene expression was derived from the Allen Human Brain Atlas. Multivariable linear regression and generalized linear models were utilized. Results A total of 55 LGI1‐AE patients were included. Median age was 68 years (IQR 62.5–74.2 years) at volumetric analysis, after 19 months (IQR 11–45 months) from symptom onset. Compared with HC ( n = 55) and AD patients ( n = 55), LGI1‐AE patients had greater regional atrophy of the hippocampus, insula, caudate, and putamen ( p < 0.002). Longitudinal analyses demonstrated hippocampal and pallidal atrophy after covariate adjustment. Among those who did not fulfill limbic encephalitis criteria and/or had non‐lesional magnetic resonance imaging, limbic and striatal atrophy were identified compared with HC ( p < 0.01). Regions with the greatest differential atrophy corresponded to higher LGI1 gene expression (Spearman ρ = 0.7, p = 0.005). Severe cognitive deficits at diagnosis ( β = −0.56; p = 0.002) and longer disease duration ( β = −0.01; p = 0.001) independently predicted total hippocampal volume ( R 2 = 0.31). Interpretation LGI1‐AE demonstrates a distinct pattern of limbic and striatal atrophy that differs from AD and aligns with regional LGI1 expression, supporting a model of selective network vulnerability. Greater baseline cognitive impairment and longer disease duration independently associated with hippocampal atrophy, underscoring the potential importance of early diagnosis and treatment to limit structural brain injury. ANN NEUROL 2026

Gephyrin is a postsynaptic scaffold protein essential for inhibitory neurotransmission. Gephyrin‐immunoglobulin G (IgG) was reported, decades ago, in a single case of paraneoplastic stiff‐person‐like syndrome, but its broader clinical relevance remains unknown. While investigating unclassified synaptic IgGs mimicking amphiphysin‐IgG, we identified gephyrin‐IgG in 3 patients using human protein microarray. Gephyrin specificity was confirmed using confocal tissue‐based immunofluorescence assay, cell‐based assay, and Western blot. The 3 patients, all female, had: encephalitis (2) and myeloneuropathy and breast cancer (1). All had inflammatory cerebrospinal fluid and abnormal magnetic resonance imaging, and improved following immunotherapy. Gephyrin‐IgG is associated with a treatable autoimmune neurological disease, sometimes paraneoplastic. ANN NEUROL 2026

ABSTRACT Background Long‐term outcome data for stiff person spectrum disorder (SPSD) remain limited and sustained response to treatment varies. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we included patients with probable or definite SPSD (Mayo Clinic criteria), evaluated at Mayo Clinic (12/1995‐07/2024) with ≥ 5 years of follow‐up after diagnosis. Primary outcome measures included the modified Rankin scale (mRS) and use of gait aids. Results Fifty‐four patients were included, 41 (76%) were female; median age at onset was 45 years (16–78). Most were antibody‐positive (51 [94%]), with high‐titer (serum, ≥ 20 nmol/L) GAD65‐IgG in 45 (83%). Nine patients had a stiff‐limb presentation (17%). The median interval from onset to diagnosis was 2 years (0–34), and median follow‐up was 9 years (5–26). Most patients (46 [85%]) received immune therapy; 37 (82%) reported improvement. All patients had significant impairment (mRS ≥ 2) at nadir, with 31 (57%) losing functional independence (mRS ≥ 3) and 40 (75%) requiring bilateral gait assistance. The median time from onset to nadir was 6 years (0–39). At last follow‐up, most (37 [69%]) were functionally independent (mRS ≤ 2), including 8 (15%) with minimal restrictions (mRS ≤ 1). Bilateral gait assistance was needed in 22 (41%). Among 40 patients with ≥ 10 years of follow‐up, 22 (56%) had an mRS ≤ 2 and 25 (63%) required a gait aid at last follow‐up. Poor outcome in this population was associated with bilateral gait assistance at nadir and older age ( p < 0.05). Conclusions Although over half of SPSD patients lose functional independence at disease nadir, many regain independence and achieve well‐controlled symptoms.

ABSTRACT Objective To (1) validate GAD65‐ELISA detection and quantification for type 1 diabetes mellitus and autoimmune neurological diagnoses, (2) correlate ELISA results (reference range < 5 IU/mL) with established radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIA; ≤ 0.02 nmol/L), and (3) define ELISA clinical utility and pitfalls. Methods Serum performance for diabetes (FDA‐cleared, undiluted) was verified, and neurological laboratory‐developed serum and CSF dilution protocols were validated to extend the reportable range beyond > 250 IU/mL. ELISA and RIA values were correlated, including established neurological RIA cut‐offs (serum ≥ 20 nmol/L; CSF any positive). Results ELISA met analytical criteria (precision, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, reference range) in serum and CSF and was clinically equivalent to RIA for autoimmune diabetes. Neurological ELISA cut‐offs were established at 10,000 IU/mL (serum) and 100 IU/mL (CSF). Precision was better below 10,000 IU/mL (CVs < 20%) than above (CVs 30.8% serum; 26.5% CSF). ELISA–RIA correlation and agreement was stronger below the neurological cut‐off (R 2 = 0.89) than above (R 2 = 0.36). Positive agreement for RIA‐defined neurological disease was 100% in serum and CSF; all serums were > 10,000 IU/mL. Clinical specificity was 97.5% in serum and 100% in CSF, exceeding reported RIA specificity. Screen results > 250 IU/mL spanned a wide range of dilution values; many were below the neurological cut‐off. Most patients with paired serum/CSF positivity showed elevated GAD65 IgG indices. Interpretation GAD65 ELISA and RIA have equivalent sensitivity for autoimmune diabetes and neurological testing, with higher specificity for ELISA. A serum cut‐off of 10,000 IU/mL is informative but requires clinical context, and dilution of screen > 250 IU/mL samples is essential for neurological interpretation.

Objective To estimate the prevalence, incidence, and disease burden of autoimmune seizures and epilepsies in Olmsted County. Methods We conducted a retrospective, population‐based study using the Rochester Epidemiology Project (1996–2019). Age‐ and sex‐standardized rates (2019 United States standard population) per 100,000 were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Temporal trends in incidence were assessed over 3 consecutive 8‐year intervals (1996–2003, 2004–2011, and 2012–2019) using Poisson regression to estimate rate ratios per period and trend. Disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLL), and years lived with disability (YLD) and 95% uncertainty intervals (95% UIs) were estimated for 2019. Results Twenty‐three patients were identified between 1996 and 2019. In 2019, the standardized prevalence of all autoimmune seizures and epilepsies was 9.81 (95% CI, 5.59–15.21) per 100,000, including autoimmune‐associated epilepsy (AAE) 7.27 (3.74–11.95) and acute symptomatic seizures secondary to autoimmune encephalitis (ASSAE) 2.55 (0.69–5.60). From 1996 to 2019, the standardized incidence was 0.50 (0.29–0.77) per 100,000 person‐years overall, with AAE 0.36 (0.19–0.59) and ASSAE 0.15 (0.05–0.30). By period, the standardized incidence of all autoimmune seizures and epilepsies suggested a rising trend from 0.28 (95% CI, 0.06–0.68) in 1996 to 2003 to 0.60 (95% CI, 0.24–1.12) in 2004–2011, then plateaued at 0.53 (95% CI, 0.21–1.00) in 2012 to 2019 (rate ratio per 8‐year interval 1.30, 95% CI, 0.71–2.38), largely driven by the seropositive subgroup. The standardized DALY rate was 26.27 (95% Uncertainly intervals [UI], 5.30–67.09) per 100,000 (YLL 20.07 [0.00–60.21] and YLD 6.20 [5.06–7.39]). Interpretation Although autoimmune seizures and epilepsies remain rare, they result in a disproportionately high disease burden. ANN NEUROL 2026;100:74–83

ABSTRACT Objective We sought to characterize the sixth most common finding in our neuroimmunological laboratory practice (tissue assay‐observed unclassified neural antibodies [UNAs]), combining protein microarray and phage immunoprecipitation sequencing (PhIP‐Seq). Methods Patient specimens (258; 133 serums; 125 CSF) meeting UNA criteria were profiled; October 2022–September 2023. Top‐ranking candidate antigens were validated in silico, by dual‐staining confocal microscopy, and ≥ 1 protein‐specific assay. Clinical data were reviewed. Results Among 21 patients, 11 autoantibodies were characterized (serum, 19; CSF, all 9 available). Autoantigens were CACNA1I, 1; CAMK2B, 2; CLIP2, 1; FMN2, 2; MAP1A, 2; MAP2, 5; NECAB1, 1; SNAP91, 3; SRCIN1, 1; SYNJ1, 1; SYT3, 2. Analytical validation was by confocal TIIFA (all), western blot (10/10 available), and cell‐based assay (5/5 performed). Clinical accompaniments were: encephalitis, 6; brainstem encephalitis, 2; encephalomyelitis, 2; cerebellar ataxia, 2; longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM), 2; sensory neuronopathy, 1; peripheral neuropathy, 4, and movement disorders, 2. Inflammatory MRI abnormalities were identified in 5/16 patients (31%) with CNS disorders: T2 signal change (2), LETM (2), leptomeningeal enhancement (1). Seven of 8 (88%) had inflammatory CSF (pleocytosis, 5 [median 25.5 cells, range 7–294]; elevated IgG index/synthesis rate, 4; CSF‐exclusive oligoclonal bands, 4). Six had paraneoplastic causation (lung cancer, 2; other, 4); 3 were postinfectious (1 each of COVID‐19, HSV‐1, and post‐Group A streptococcal infection). Of 9 immunotherapy‐treated patients, 5 improved. Interpretation UNAs are partly accounted for by a repertoire of diverse mostly intracellular synaptic antigens. Their characterization is expedited by protein arrays and PhIPSeq. Further individual studies are needed to assess them as disease biomarkers.

Abstract Objectives γ‐Aminobutyric acid B receptor (GABA B R)‐IgG (immunoglobulin G) is an intermediate‐risk paraneoplastic autoantibody often associated with seizures. We aimed to assess the clinical and oncological features of GABA B R‐IgG autoimmune encephalitis (AE) and evaluate the performance of antibody testing. Methods Patients testing positive for GABA B R‐IgG in serum/cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at Mayo Clinic Neuroimmunology Laboratory were identified. Archived sera were retested by cell‐based assay (CBA) at 1:100 and 1:200 dilutions. A live‐cell flow cytometry–based assay (LCFBA) was developed and validated using archived sera and CSF. True positivity included patients with classic presentations of GABA B R‐IgG AE or oncological explanations for antibody presence. Results Eighty‐six patients (median age 63 years; 43 female) presented with classic presentations of GABA B R‐IgG AE: encephalopathy with prominent seizures ( n = 55), status epilepticus ( n = 23), and rapidly progressive dementia ( n = 8). In addition, 44 patients (33%) had a false‐positive result for GABA B R‐IgG characterized by non‐specific symptoms/alternate diagnoses. Malignancy was identified in 78% of true‐positive patients, predominantly small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Testing serum at 1:100 dilution on CBA and using tissue immunofluorescence assay (IFA) in serum and CSF improved the identification of true‐positive patients ( p < 0.001). CBA at 1:100 dilution performed better than conventional CBA (at 1:10 dilution, p < 0.001) and tissue IFA ( p = 0.031). An in‐house LCFBA showed 100% sensitivity and specificity in CSF, performing similarly to conventional CBA ( p = 0.125) in CSF, but better than tissue IFA ( p = 0.031). Furthermore, serum LCFBA performed better than conventional CBA ( p = 0.022) and tissue IFA ( p = 0.006). LCFBA had the highest diagnostic accuracy and was closely followed by CBA at 1:100 dilution. Significance GABA B R‐IgG AE often presents as encephalopathy with seizures or status epilepticus in the context of an underlying SCLC. Multimodal evaluation using tissue IFA and fixed CBA at higher dilutions improves detection of true cases. LCFBA performs very well as a diagnostic test with very high sensitivity and specificity.

ABSTRACT Objectives To investigate the value of cytokine, chemokine, and neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentrations in predicting relapse risk, chronic epilepsy, and functional impairment in LGI1 autoimmune encephalitis (AE). Methods Cytokines/chemokines (IL‐1‐beta, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐8/CXCL8, IL‐10, IL‐12p70, IL‐13, IL‐17A, GM‐CSF, TNF‐alpha, IFN‐gamma, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL13, BAFF) and NfL concentrations were measured in CSF and paired serum from LGI1‐AE patients evaluated at Mayo Clinic (01/2015–02/2024), using a multiplex immunoassay system (ELLA, Bio‐Techne) and correlated with clinical outcomes. A laboratory‐based cohort of LGI1‐IgG‐positive patients and control cohorts, including patients with mixed non‐inflammatory disorders (MNID), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) were analyzed. Results Forty‐four patients with LGI1‐AE were included; 29 (66%) were male, with a median age of 68.5 years (range, 8–85). Median time from symptom onset to CSF sampling was eight months (IQR, 3–17); 19/42 (45%) experienced a clinical relapse and 27% developed chronic epilepsy. Serum IL‐6, serum and CSF IL‐8/CXCL8, and IL‐17A were higher in LGI1‐IgG positive patients than MNID ( p < 0.05). TLE cytokine/chemokine profiles were similar to LGI1 AE; AD patients had lower serum IL‐6 and CSF IL‐8/CXCL8 ( p = 0.04; p = 0.01), and higher serum IL‐17A and GM‐CSF ( p = 0.004; p = 0.01) than LGI1‐AE. Higher CSF IL‐6 and IL‐8/CXCL8 in LGI1‐AE associated with clinical relapse ( p < 0.05) and higher CSF NfL associated with chronic epilepsy ( p = 0.01). Conclusion Elevations in IL‐6, IL‐8/CXCL8, and IL‐17A were identified in this LGI1‐AE cohort. CSF IL‐6, IL‐8/CXCL8, and NfL levels are potential prognostic biomarkers for risk of relapse and chronic epilepsy in LGI1‐AE.

AbstractCases of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody‐associated disease (MOGAD) co‐occurring with neoplasms have been reported. In this international, retrospective cohort study in South Korea and the USA, 16 of 445 (3.6%) patients with MOGAD had concurrent neoplasm within 2 years of MOGAD onset, resulting in a standardized incidence ratio for neoplasm of 3.10 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.77–4.81; P < 0.001) when compared to the age‐ and country‐adjusted incidence of neoplasm in the general population. However, none of the nine tumor tissues obtained demonstrated MOG immunostaining. The slightly increased frequency without immunohistopathological evidence suggest with true paraneoplastic MOGAD is extremely rare.