Stiff-Eye Syndrome—Anti-GAD Ataxia Presenting with Isolated Ophthalmoplegia: A Case Report

Anti-GAD ataxia is one of the most common forms of immune-mediated cerebellar ataxias. Many neurological syndromes have been reported in association with anti-GAD. Ophthalmoparesis has been described in stiff person syndrome. We report a case of anti-GAD ataxia presenting initially with isolated ophthalmoplegia and showing complete resolution after immunotherapy. A 26-year-old male patient presented with ophthalmoparesis characterized by tonic upwards deviation of the right eye. In the following month, he developed progressive ataxia with anti-GAD titers of 1972 UI/mL. After treatment with methylprednisolone and immunoglobulin, there was complete resolution of symptoms and anti-GAD titers decreased. This is the first report of isolated ophthalmoparesis due to tonic eye deviation associated with anti-GAD antibodies without stiff-person syndrome. Tonic eye deviation has been reported in SPS, possibly secondary to continuous discharge in gaze holding neurons in the brainstem (similar to what occurs in spinal motor neurons). With growing evidence for ocular abnormalitites in SPS, anti-GAD associated neurological syndromes should be included in the differential diagnosis of isolated ophthalmoplegia.

HIST1H1E syndrome with type 2 diabetes

A 20-year-old woman was referred to the diabetes clinic with type 2 diabetes diagnosed at the age of 19. Her body mass index was 31.4 kg/m2, HbA1C was 76 mmol/mol, GAD antibodies were negative with a detectable C-peptide. She had a characteristic facial appearance with widespread eyes, posterior hairline suggesting a facial gestalt and abnormal dentition. She also had hypothyroidism, mild intellectual disability, primary amenorrhoea and patent ductus arteriosus. Karyotyping reported normal 46XX karyotype. Genetic testing revealed a pathogenic variant in the gene encoding the HIST1H1E protein which confirmed her diagnosis of HIST1H1E syndrome. Type 2 diabetes has not been reported in previous cases of HIST1H1E and so this is the first reported case of type 2 diabetes with HIST1H1E syndrome.

Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin Therapy with IgPro20 in Patients with Stiff Person Syndrome and Primary Immunodeficiency Disease

Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare autoimmune neurologic disorder characterized by fluctuating muscle spasms and rigidity, is mediated by autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies. Symptoms of SPS have been shown to improve after administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) however, there is a paucity of information regarding use of SCIg in SPS. Four patients with Stiff Person Syndrome were treated with SCIgPro20 for a period between 31 to 101 months. Most reactions were local and mild. All patients reported improvement in spasticity, and 2 patients reported improvement in seizure frequency. SCIgPro20 was well tolerated in patients with SPS and was associated with improvement in symptoms.

Glycine receptor antibodies and coeliac disease-related neurological dysfunction

Gluten sensitivity can manifest with a spectrum of neurological dysfunction including ataxia, encephalopathy and neuropathy with or without associated coeliac disease (CD). Gluten sensitivity can also present with central nervous system (CNS) hyperexcitability and cortical myoclonus which is often accompanied with refractory CD. CNS hyperexcitability can also be associated with Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies or much less commonly with Glycine Receptor Antibodies (GlyR-Abs) but the direct pathogenic roles of these antibodies remain debatable. We have previously reported a link between gluten sensitivity and anti-GAD associated ataxia which improves with the adoption of gluten-free diet. It is unclear if a similar link exists between gluten driven CNS hyperexcitability and the presence of GlyR-Abs. We report two cases of CD presenting with CNS hyperexcitability and associated GlyR-Abs. Apart from ataxia and cortical myoclonus, one patient had refractory CD and died from enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma. The other patient not only improved with strict gluten-free diet but also showed serological elimination of circulating GlyR-Abs. We conclude that there is an interaction between gluten sensitivity and GlyR-Abs-associated CNS hyperexcitability and in such patients gluten-free diet is an important therapeutic intervention. The elimination of GlyR-Abs by the adoption of gluten free diet suggests that these antibodies may represent an epiphenomenon rather than being directly implicated in the pathogenesis.

Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young Masquerading as New Onset Diabetes Mellitus Type 1

Introduction:/background: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a heterogeneous group of monogenic disorders with autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Mutation in hepatocyte nuclear factor-1β (HNF-1β) gene results in an error of embryonic development of pancreas and nephron, leading to MODY type 5. MODY 5 accounts for 1% of maturity-onset diabetes of the young. It has peak incidence in adolescence/early adulthood, and is associated with renal pathology. Clinical Case: A 15-year boy with history of hypertension and Hashimoto thyroiditis with normal thyroid function was referred for Hb A1C of 6.7% (< 6.4%). Physical exam was remarkable for normal weight at 64%, normal BMI at 83%, absence of thyromegaly or acanthosis nigricans. Diabetes was confirmed by 2 hour Oral Glucose Tolerance Test study (baseline glucose 154 mg/dL (<126 mg/dL), 2 hour glucose 384 mg/dL (<140 mg/dL)). Small doses of insulin (total daily dose 0.1 units/kg/day) resulted in good glucose control. Further labs were significant for weakly positive TTG and GAD antibodies (tTG Ab IgA 55.5 U/mL (<4.0 U/mL), GAD-65 Ab 0.05 nmol/L (< 0.02 nmol/L)), positive TPO (0.0 - 34.9 IU/mL) and detectable ATA antibodies 45.8 IU/mL (0.0 - 40.0 IU/mL), C-peptide 2.9 ng/mL (0.9–7.1 ng/mL). Islet cell, Insulin and Zinc transporter 8 antibodies were negative. Over the next few months he was weaned off insulin and subsequently he had a high insulin of 29.43 uU/mL (3.0 - 17.0 uU/mL) with glucose level of 169 mg/dL. Renal US was performed as part of the work up for hypertension and revealed a small right calculus with no hydronephrosis and a small 8-mm cortical cyst in the right kidney. Urinalysis showed microalbuminuria. Upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy with biopsy ruled out celiac disease. Presumptive diagnosis of MODY was entertained despite positive TPO, ATA, TTG and GAD antibodies suggesting autoimmune endocrinopathies. His Hb A1C levels were in the range of 5.7 to 6 % during the 15 months of follow up. Genetic testing for MODY resulted in heterozygous deletion of exons 1–9 of the HNF1B gene consistent with MODY5. Conclusion: This is a case of MODY 5 with weakly positive GAD 65 antibodies that was initially misdiagnosed as type 1 diabetes. The presence of weakly positive antibodies should not preclude a work up for MODY in a patient who does not have the clinical features of classic type 1 DM.

Stiff Person Syndrome and Gluten Sensitivity

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune disease characterised by axial stiffness and episodic painful spasms. It is associated with additional autoimmune diseases and cerebellar ataxia. Most patients with SPS have high levels of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies. The aetiology of SPS remains unclear but autoimmunity is thought to play a major part. We have previously demonstrated overlap between anti-GAD ataxia and gluten sensitivity. We have also demonstrated the beneficial effect of a gluten-free diet (GFD) in patients with anti-GAD ataxia. Here, we describe our experience in the management of 20 patients with SPS. The mean age at symptom onset was 52 years. Additional autoimmune diseases were seen in 15/20. Nineteen of the 20 patients had serological evidence of gluten sensitivity and 6 had coeliac disease. Fourteen of the 15 patients who had brain imaging had evidence of cerebellar involvement. Twelve patients improved on GFD and in seven GFD alone was the only treatment required long term. Twelve patients had immunosuppression but only three remained on such medication. Gluten sensitivity plays an important part in the pathogenesis of SPS and GFD is an effective therapeutic intervention.

Recurrent Miller Fisher: A Case Report Along With a Literature and an EMG/NCS Review

MFS has been reported to recur in 10-12% of patients. There may be a genetic component related to HLA-DR2. Anti-GAD antibodies can be present in MFS along with anti-GQ1b. Common EMG/NCS associations consist of a predominantly axonal, sensory polyneuropathy and absent H reflexes. A 32-year-old female with a history of hypothyroidism presented to our institution twice with symptoms of diplopia, lower extremity weakness and distal paresthesias occurring a year apart. She had ophthalmoplegia, reduced reflexes, and ataxia on exam. CSF showed a borderline elevated protein of 47 and white blood cells <3. She was positive for anti-GQ1b both times. Her anti-GAD65 antibody was elevated during both admissions. EMG/NCS on her first admission revealed comparatively reduced sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) and a normal blink reflex. Her SNAPs improved on the second admission, however, the EMG was performed only 2 days after the onset of her symptoms, limiting some early findings that may have not matured electrophysiologically. She was treated with IVIG on both occasions with rapid recovery within 5 days. This case highlights the fact that MFS can be recurrent. It also provides further evidence that anti-GAD antibodies may be associated with MFS. Reported findings of the blink reflex in MFS are diverse and further data is needed to determine if certain findings are more predominant than others. Treatment typically consists of IVIG, though steroids may also be considered for recurrence. Prognosis is generally favorable, regardless of treatment.

Good Glycemic Outcomes Following Bariatric Surgery Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, and Low-Titer GAD Antibodies

<i>Objective</i>: To evaluate diabetes remission after bariatric surgery by presence of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibody among those with obesity and Type 2 diabetes (T2D). <p> </p><i>Research Design and Methods</i>: Screening GAD was performed in 221 patients with T2D and obesity referred for bariatric surgery. 9/16 patients with GAD and 112/205 without GAD proceeded with surgery. Diabetes remission and weight loss was compared by GAD presence. <p> </p><i>Results</i>: GAD titres were 16-91 IU/mL in the first group. Both groups were similar in age, BMI, diabetes duration, insulin treated proportion, HbA1c and C-peptide (1354 ± 548 vs 1358 ± 487pmol/L). At 1 and 5 years post-operatively, both groups achieved similar BMI reduction and diabetes remission (67% vs 73%, p=0.71, and 56% vs 57%, p=1.0). <p><i> </i></p><i>Conclusion</i>: Low-titre GAD in patients with T2D and retained C-peptide, should not be a deterrent for bariatric surgery when the principal aim is diabetes remission.