Screening for autoantibodies against the mGluR1 antigen is used in the investigation of patients with potential autoimmune encephalitis and autoimmune cerebral ataxia.
Metabotropic glutamate receptors are transmembrane proteins on the neuronal cell membranes. Unlike ionotropic receptors, metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are not ion channels. Instead, they trigger cascades of biochemical processes, leading to the modification of other proteins, such as ion channels.
Antibodies against mGluR1 (metabotropic glutamate receptor 1, molecular weight 140 kDa) have been described in Hodgkin's disease along with (paraneoplastic) cerebral ataxia.
Test of mGluR1 antibodies is performed in serum. There have been no reports of antibodies present in the CSF alone.
See also: mGluR5 Antibodies
