A systematic review of Gamma-aminobutyric Acid Receptor Type B autoimmunity

Abstract

Objective. To review the available research to describe the clinical characteristics and neoplastic associations of patients with gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor type B (GABAB-R) autoantibodies. Methods. Literature was reviewed on PubMed, Mendeley literature search, and the American Academy of Neurology database for articles published from June 2008 to October of 2018 using a variety of key words. These key words include: "gamma-aminobutyric acid seizures," "gamma-aminobutyric acid limbic encephalitis", "GABA(B) receptor antibodies," "autoimmune encephalitis," "autoimmune epilepsy," "GABA(B) encephalitis, " and "GABA paraneoplastic." With the results, the papers were reviewed in a systematic manner. Results. A total of 10 studies were reviewed. A summary of the demographic, clinical, and serological findings of the cases detailed in the literature are provided. An additional illustrative case is described. In total, 94 patients were reviewed. Conclusions. GABAB-R autoimmune disease is characterized by refractory seizures or status epilepticus and frequent association with small cell lung cancer. Additionally, a substantial minority of patients have non-inflammatory CSF.