Paraneoplastic syndrome/Neuronal Antibody Profile Test

The Paraneoplastic syndrome/Neuronal Antibody Profile (IgG) detects the antibodies against neuronal antigens like Amphiphysin, Pnma2, Ri, Yo, Hu and CV2 antigen

People with the following symptoms:

• Seizures of unknown origin
• Neurological disturbances like hallucinations, confusions, anxiety, depression.
• Neuropsychiatric symptoms
• Patients with certain tumours showing signs of paraneoplastic disorders
• Neuromyotonia
• Sudden onset progressive muscle pain and weakness, stiffness, spasms
• Sudden onset Vision problems
• Ambulatory and mobility issues

• To diagnose paraneoplastic disorders due to certain types of tumours. Tumours that commonly cause paraneoplastic disorders are small cell carcinoma lung, seminoma, breast carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma
• For diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis
• For differential diagnosis in patients with encephalitis of unknown origin
• Tests are useful in detecting the antibodies against different neurological receptors.

Anti - Amphiphysin antibodies test, ANNA-1: Anti Neuronal nuclear autoantibodies type 1 test, ANNA-2: Anti Neuronal nuclear autoantibodies type 2 test and PCA 1: Purkinje cell antibody 1 test are some of the commonly performed neuronal tests to detect the autoantibodies.

This test requires a blood. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

Specimen Type, Site, Clinical History and Clinician number are required

The presence of specific neuronal autoantibody signifies specific neurological disorder.

Anti – Amphiphysin test

Positive result indicates the presence of autoantibodies against Amphiphysin which may signify neurological disorder (stiff person syndrome)

Anti - CV2/CRMP5 test

Positive result may signify Chorea, Sensory neuropathy, Cerebellar degeneration or Limbic encephalitis.

Anti - PNMA2 (Ma 2 / Ta)

Positive result may indicate limbic & brain stem encephalitis, cerebellar degeneration.

Anti - Ri/ANNA – 2

Positive result may signify brain stem encephalitis

Anti - Yo/PCA – 1

Positive result may signify cerebellar degeneration.

Anti - Hu/ ANNA – 1

Positive result may signify sensory neuropathy, cerebellar degeneration, limbic encephalitis.

Negative result for each test does not rule out paraneoplastic syndrome and should be correlated with the clinical features and other investigations as well.

1. Amphiphysin test

2. Pnma2 test

3. Ri

4. Yo

3. Hu

4. CV2 antigen