Ganglionic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) autoantibodies have been described in patients with idiopathic autonomic neuropathies. [Dysautonomia]
I am VGKC antibody positive. I have also been tested and diagnosed with dysautonomia. Still untreated.
In this case report a 65 year-old woman with a one year history of orthostatic intolerance, heat intolerance, diarrhea, and sicca complex underwent comprehensive autonomic and laboratory evaluations and was diagnosed with autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG) associated with VGKC antibodies. During her initial evaluation, the patient was found to have widespread anhidrosis (lack of sweating). A paraneoplastic antibody panel was positive for VGKC antibodies. Subsequent evaluations revealed progressive cardiovascular adrenergic impairment with evidence of orthostatic hypotension associated with a rise in the antibody titer. At that time, treatment with IVIG was initiated. Six months after initiation of IVIG, autonomic testing had essentially normalized, with a notable decrease in antibody titer.
She underwent standardized autonomic, clinical, and laboratory evaluations for 2 years, before and during treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).
n.neurology.org/content/78/...
This woman recovered with IVIG treatment. How many people on this forum with autonomic dysfunction have been tested for Paraneoplastic Syndrome? My mom with PD wasn't. Autonomic dysfunction appeared early for me, leading me to suspect MSA. My mom said autonomic dysfunction happened much later for her.
The literature I found said dysautonomia wasn't a feature of ALS. When dysautonomia co-occurs with motor neuron disease it is called ALS plus syndrome aka parkinsonism.
I came across a recent article about Clive Svendsen, PhD at Cedars-Sinai who said, "We don't think ALS is one disease."
Is Parkinson's one disease?
SE
