Motor neuropathies and serum IgM binding to NS6S heparin disaccharide or GM1 ganglioside

Abstract

IgM binding to NS6S disaccharide is associated with motor neuropathy syndromes and occurs with similar frequency to IgM binding to GM1. Testing for IgM binding to NS6S in addition to GM1 increases the frequency of finding IgM autoantibodies in motor neuropathies from 43% to 64%. High titres of serum IgM binding to GM1, tested with covalent ELISA methodology, have 93% specificity for motor neuropathy syndromes. High titres of serum IgM binding to NS6S have specificity for immune motor neuropathies compared with ALS and CIDP.