ANTI-NEURONAL CELL ANTIBODIES FOR SERUM AND CSF

CLINICAL UTILITY:

Elevated serum or CSF anti-neuronal cell antibody levels may be helpful in the diagnosis of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

This test is often mistaken for the assay for anti-neuronal nuclear antibodies (ANNA), which included the Hu, Yo, and Ri antibodies. These tests are often ordered to evaluate some forms of paraneoplastic peripheral neuropathies associated with various malignancies, and are not performed in this lab (they are send-out tests).

METHOD DESCRIPTION:

Anti-Neuronal Cell Antibodies are measured colorimetrically using a solid phase immunoenzymatic assay (“sandwich” technique).

REFERENCE RANGE:

The reference range for serums is 0-54 STU (Standard Titer Units).The CSF reference range is 0-1.0.

SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS:

1.0 ml serum (0.5 ml minimum) or 2 ml (minimum 1.0 ml) CSF, frozen at -20oC or colder.