Antineural antibodies in the serum of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Sera from 12 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 18 controls were screened for antineural antibodies using immunoblotting. No consistent differences were detected between ALS patients and controls, although antibodies to 52,000- and 70,000-dalton proteins in mouse spinal cord were somewhat more common in ALS sera. Antibodies to a protein of approximately 150,000 to 200,000 daltons were also evident. The 70,000- and 52,000-dalton proteins were detected in brain, cerebellum, and liver as well as spinal cord. Immunohistochemistry suggested antibody activity was directed at least in part to neurofilaments. While the antibodies to the 52,000- and 70,000-dalton proteins were more common in ALS than control sera (p less than 0.02 and less than 0.05, respectively), it is not clear from this initial study that this difference is of clinical or etiologic significance.