Black holes and high levels of neurofilaments in glial fibrillary acidic protein - astrocytopathy: a case report.
Eur J Neurol 2020;
27:2381-2384. [PMID:
32248601 DOI:
10.1111/ene.14244]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is an intracellular protein of the astrocytic cytoskeleton. Recently, autoantibodies to GFAP detected by cell-based assay in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or serum have been implicated in cerebral astrocytopathy, presenting predominantly with autoimmune meningoencephalomyelitis. However, the phenotypic spectrum, prognosis and therapeutics of this new entity remain to be elucidated.
METHODS
Herein, we report radiological, CSF and serological findings during disease exacerbation and remission, from a patient with autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy, presenting as an immunotherapy responsive GFAP IgG-associated meningoencephalomyelitis.
RESULTS
Brain and spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed meningeal enhancement, T2 hyperintensities, black holes, significant sulci widening and spinal atrophy. In addition, high levels of neurofilaments (NfL) and GFAP were also identified during disease exacerbation, consistent with the appearance of the black holes.
CONCLUSIONS
To date, black holes and atrophy have never been reported before in autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. These findings, combined with the high levels of GFAP and NfL, suggest the existence of an underlying neurodegenerative mechanism in addition to the known inflammatory response. Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathomechanism of GFAP-astrocytopathies.
Collapse