Anti-neurofilament protein antibodies in opsoclonus-myoclonus

Opsoclonus-myoclonus (OM) is a neurological disorder usually occurring in infancy, clinically manifested by various involuntary movements. The pathogenesis of OM is unknown, but since the disease often is associated with viral infection or with neuroblastoma, an immunologic basis for OM has been postulated. We have studied two children with OM whose serum contained antibodies directed against the 210 kDa neurofilament protein; these antibodies were not seen in the serum of 21 children with other neurological disorders. Neurofilament proteins, which are found only in neurons, may be of prime importance in neuronal function, especially during development of the nervous system. Our findings suggest that generation of antibodies to the neurofilament proteins can occur in patients with opsoclonus-myoclonus; the role of the anti-NF210K antibodies in the pathogenesis of OM, however, is uncertain.