Diagnostic Utility of Auto Antibodies in Inflammatory Nerve Disorders

A wide range of autoantibodies have been described in immune-mediated nerve disorders that target glycans borne by glycolipids and glycoproteins enriched in the peripheral nerves. Their use as diagnostic biomarkers is very widespread, despite some limitations on sensitivity and specificity, and the lack of standardized assays and access to quality assurance schemes. Although many methods have been applied to measurement, ELISA, in the form of commercial kits or in-house assays, still remains the most widely available and convenient assay methodology. Some antibodies have a particularly robust and widely appreciated clinical significance. Thus, the anti-MAG IgM antibodies that are found in IgM paraprotein related neuropathies define a relatively uniform clinical and prognostic phenotype. IgG