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Autoimmune neurology

We make advanced neuroimmunology testing more accessible and actionable, with an expansive test menu that is inclusive of most autoimmune neurological disorders.

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Knowing where to look first

When patients present with a range of neurological symptoms, it can be difficult to identify what is causing them and select the best treatment. To complicate the evaluation, a given autoantibody can exhibit a variety of clinical appearances and a given neurological presentation can often be caused by several different autoantibodies. The complexity of the neurological system and the absence of a specific clinical presentation make it difficult to know where to look first. In most cases, early detection and prompt therapy can improve patient outcomes.1

Comprehensive neuroimmunology testing portfolio

Quest Advanced Neurology is your source for neuroimmunological testing with expanded offerings for several autoimmune neurological disorders. Learn more about our comprehensive offering by clicking on the specific conditions below.

High quality and performance

Our neuroimmunology testing is performed only at Quest facilities, using gold standard methodologies to ensure test quality and performance:

  • Target tissues and/or cells are specifically selected for optimal diagnostic detection 
  • Methodologies include CBA, RIA, and line blot 

PNS are a group of disorders that develop in some people who have cancer.

  • PNS are due to remote effects of cancer. Antibody testing can guide the search for an underlying malignancy
  • The Paraneoplastic Antibody Expanded Evaluation has the ability to identify 25 prevalent antibodies for increased sensitivity, including Ma2/Ta and Zic4
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  • NMOSD is a condition that can sometimes be mistaken for multiple sclerosis (MS). Diagnosis is critical because treatments for MS may be ineffective or harmful for patients with NMOSD2
  • NMO Spectrum Evaluation tests for AQP4 with reflex to MOG as research indicates 15%-35% of patients who test negative for AQP4 test positive for MOG antibodies3
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  • Difficult to recognize due to wide range of symptoms, such as memory disturbance, cognitive impairment, seizures, psychosis, loss of consciousness, or even coma4 
  • Encephalitis Antibody Evaluation with Reflex to Titer and Line Blot looks for 25 of the most prevalent encephalitis antibodies 
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  • Characterized by mild to severe muscle weakness and most commonly involves acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies5
  • Comprehensive myasthenia gravis portfolio tests for 5 known antibodies (AChR, MuSK, LRP4, RyR, and titin)
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  • In MS, damage to the myelin coating around the nerve fibers in the central nervous system (CNS) and to the nerve fibers themselves interferes with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body6
  • Full spectrum of multiple sclerosis panels for both diagnosis and treatment monitoring, including Tysabri® antibody testing and NAbFeron® neutralizing antibody testing
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  • Symptoms usually start with numbness, prickling or tingling in the toes or fingers. It may spread up to the feet or hands and cause burning, freezing, throbbing and/or shooting pain that is often worse at night7
  • SensoriMotor Neuropathy Profile with Recombx® -Complete tests for these top markers related to peripheral neuropathology: MAG, SGPG, GM1, GD1a, GD1b, asialo-GM1, sulfatide, Hu, and IgM GALOP antibodies
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Learn more about our extensive portfolio of 400+ neurology tests.

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References

1. Vincent A, Bien CG, Irani SR, Waters P. Autoantibodies associated with diseases of the CNS: new developments and future challenges. Lancet Neurol. 2011;10(8):759-772. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(11)70096-5

2. Sato DK, Callegaro D, Lana-Peixoto MA, et al. Distinction between MOG antibody-positive and AQP4 antibody-positive NMO spectrum disorders. Neurology. 2014;82(6):474-481. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000000101

3. Pröbstel AK, Rudolf G, Dornmair K, et al. Anti-MOG antibodies are present in a subgroup of patients with a neuromyelitis optica phenotype. J Neuroinflammation. 2015;12:46. doi:10.1186/s12974-015-0256-1

4. Kelley BP, Patel SC, Marin HL, et al. Autoimmune encephalitis: pathophysiology and imaging review of an overlooked diagnosis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2017:38(6):1070-1078. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A5086

5. Rivner MH, Pasnoor M, Dimachkie MM, et al. Muscle-specific tyrosine kinase and myasthenia gravis owing to other antibodies. Neurol Clin. 2018;36(2):293-310. doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2018.01.004

6. Symptoms and diagnosis. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Accessed August 2, 2022. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis

7. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy. Symptoms. Accessed August 2, 2022. https://www.foundationforpn.org/symptoms/ 

 

Test codes may vary by location. Please contact your local laboratory for more information.

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