Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) are immune-mediated neurological disorders associated with cancer and often supported by specific neuronal autoantibodies.
Neuronal autoantibodies are classified as high-, intermediate-, or low-risk for paraneoplastic aetiology. Cancer association is 30–70% for intermediate-risk antibodies and <30% for low-risk ones. In general, intermediate- and low-risk antibodies are pathogenic, and patients often respond to immunosuppressive therapy.
Autoantibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) are markers of autoimmune neuronal disease such as anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Association with ovarian or extra-ovarian teratoma is about 38%. Tumours (mainly ovarian teratoma) are most often found in young women aged 12–45 years; older adults and children show a lower tumour frequency (<25% and <10%, respectively).
For neuronal autoantibodies with intermediate or low-risk phenotypes, testing should be performed in parallel on serum and cerebrospinal fluid.
Serum, EDTA plasma, heparin plasma, citrate plasma, CSF
IFA cells
Fasting for at least 8-12 hours before sampling
Refer to the Health Service Charter to check storage conditions
+2/+8°C
This test provides the quantitative determination of total tau protein to support the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
This test provides the quantitative determination of tau protein phosphorylated at threonine 181 (pTau181), to support the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Test for the determination of human autoantibodies against NMDAR to support the diagnosis of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes with an intermediate-risk phenotype.
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