Anti-GM1 antibodies: The cause of otherwise unexplained ophthalmoplegias?

Abstract

Purpose: To report four patients with otherwise unexplained ophthalmoplegia who were found to have elevated levels of anti-GM1 antibodies. Methods: Retrospective chart evaluation of 50 consecutive patients with otherwise unexplained ophthalmoparesis. All patients were tested for anti-GM1 antibodies. Results: Six out of 50 cases (12%) were found to have elevated anti-GM1 antibodies, far greater than the 2.7% found in the general population. Four of the subjects with elevated anti-GM1 antibodies are reported. Conclusion: Although the mechanism and relationship between the neural antibodies and ophthalmoparesis is not understood, it is proposed that the presence of anti-GM1 antibodies should be..