Introduction: Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is a motor only, asymmetric onset neuropathy that is relatively treatment-refractory compared with classic chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and multifocal acquired demyelinating sensory and motor (MADSAM) neuropathy.

Methods: We reviewed 35 patients seropositive for GM1 (monosialo-asialo [immunoglobulin M, IgM; immunoglobulin G, IgG]) and/or GD1b (disialo [IgG, IgM]) autoantibodies having MMN, classic CIDP, or MADSAM. Immune-treatment responsiveness and clinical course was compared with antibody negative disease controls.

Results: Seventy-nine percent of seropositives with an initial diagnosis of MMN were immunotherapy responsive compared with 46% of seronegatives (P = 0.045). Eight ganglioside antibody positive MMN patients of 19 (42%) developed sensory findings consistent with MADSAM compared with 3 of 41 (7%) seronegative MMN patients (P = 0.003). MMN and MADSAM patients with ganglioside antibody positivity had more sustained treatment responses (P = 0.03).

Discussion: Patients initially diagnosed with MMN seropositive for diverse GM1 autoantibodies appear more likely to have sustained treatment response and evolution to MADSAM.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	CIDP, MADSAM, MMN, gangliosides
Research Division:	Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
Research Group:	Neurosciences
Research Field:	Central nervous system
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical health
Objective Field:	Clinical health not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Taylor, BV (Professor Bruce Taylor)
ID Code:	125489
Year Published:	2018
Web of Science® Times Cited:	3
Deposited By:	Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Deposited On:	2018-04-19
Last Modified:	2019-02-18
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