About this Research Topic
Antibody-associated central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune diseases account for an important part in neuroimmunology. Early studies mainly focused on paraneoplastic onconeural antibodies with a target on intracellular antigens (such as Hu, Yo, Ri, etc.). The past decade has witnessed a surge of discovery of novel neural antibodies, along with a series of new CNS disorders mediated by those antibodies, such as autoimmune encephalitis represented by anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis, aquaporin 4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease, and autoimmune glial fibillary acidic protein astrocytopathy.
With a surge of antibody-associated CNS disorders, clinicians are faced with emerging challenges, including (1) the clinical significance and diagnostic value of antibodies; (2) the diagnostic dilemma in circumstances of "coexisting antibodies" or “negative antibody"; (3) the standardization of antibody detection assay; (4) lack of robust evidence endorsing treatment strategies for antibody-associated CNS autoimmune diseases. All these issues are worthy of exploration in depth.
This Research Topic aims to provide novel scientific data and gain further understanding of clinical presentation, neuroimaging, antibody analysis and other relevant investigations of antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases of the CNS. Moreover, we want to highlight recent advances in diagnostic approaches and therapeutic regimens in this expanding spectrum of diseases. Both Original Research and Review articles will be considered for submission. In addition, a variety of other publications, including editorials, commentaries and perspectives, case reports and other works are also welcome if relevant insights to the field are provided.
We would like to acknowledge that Dr. Yinxi Zhang, Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, has acted as a coordinator and has contributed to the preparation of the proposal for this Research Topic.
With a surge of antibody-associated CNS disorders, clinicians are faced with emerging challenges, including (1) the clinical significance and diagnostic value of antibodies; (2) the diagnostic dilemma in circumstances of "coexisting antibodies" or “negative antibody"; (3) the standardization of antibody detection assay; (4) lack of robust evidence endorsing treatment strategies for antibody-associated CNS autoimmune diseases. All these issues are worthy of exploration in depth.
This Research Topic aims to provide novel scientific data and gain further understanding of clinical presentation, neuroimaging, antibody analysis and other relevant investigations of antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases of the CNS. Moreover, we want to highlight recent advances in diagnostic approaches and therapeutic regimens in this expanding spectrum of diseases. Both Original Research and Review articles will be considered for submission. In addition, a variety of other publications, including editorials, commentaries and perspectives, case reports and other works are also welcome if relevant insights to the field are provided.
We would like to acknowledge that Dr. Yinxi Zhang, Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, has acted as a coordinator and has contributed to the preparation of the proposal for this Research Topic.
Keywords: Antibody; Autoimmune diseases; Central nervous system; Neuroimmunology
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