Related Experiment Video For Lambert-Eaton syndrome
Updated: Feb 16, 2026
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Published on: December 1, 2023
Calcium channel autoimmunity: Cerebellar ataxia and lambert-eaton syndrome coexisting
Nicholas Zalewski1, Vanda A Lennon1,2,3, Sean J Pittock1,2
1Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, USA.
Introduction:
Neuronal calcium channel antibodies are a biomarker of Lambert-Eaton syndrome (LES) and cerebellar ataxia. We have encountered several patients with LES and cerebellar ataxia coexisting, and we sought to further define this association.
Methods:
We reviewed records of patients at our institution with a diagnosis of "Lambert-Eaton syndrome" and "cerebellar ataxia."
Results:
Seventeen patients were identified with LES and ataxia. Presenting symptoms were weakness (8), concurrent weakness and ataxia (4), ataxia (4), and other (1). Nine patients had small-cell lung carcinoma, 3 of whom had survival greater than 100 months. Immunotherapy responses were best among patients without cancer. Nine of 17 (53%) patients were alive at last follow-up (median survival 62 months; range, 8-240).
Discussion:
Calcium channel autoimmunity should be considered in patients with coexisting cerebellar ataxia and myasthenic weakness. Affected patients may survive small-cell carcinoma or have immunotherapy-responsive neurological symptoms. Muscle Nerve, 2018.
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