Parkinson's disease and autoimmunity

Sera from 22 patients with Parkinson's disease were tested for autoantibodies in 11 different assays, including a test for autoantibodies directed against determinants in the pituitary gland. All patients were tested twice with a 12-month interval between tests. No pituitary autoantibodies were detected. The other autoantibodies investigated were found in low frequencies and in low titers. Our data supports the view that the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease is not autoimmune.