The discovery of antibodies against neuroglial antigens of the peripheral and/or central nervous system has greatly expanded the field of neuroimmunology in the last decades. Some of these antibodies have allowed to better define already known entities, such as those recognizing aquaporin-4 (AQP4) or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) in central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating diseases, currently labelled as, respectively, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and MOG-IgG associated diseases (MOGAD). Similarly, our understanding regarding chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) has dramatically changed due to the description of antibodies targeting different paranodal proteins. Likewise, the antibody spectrum of what was previously considered seronegative myasthenia gravis has considerably broadened following the detection of other antibody specificities in that subset of patients. In contrast, the identification of antibodies against N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and other antibodies related to autoimmune encephalitis has led to the description of completely new disorders that have revolutionized neurological practice. Furthermore, many of these recently described antibodies target synaptic or membrane receptors, and have been proven to alter the function or location of their antigens, being therefore directly pathogenic. Conversely, most of the antibodies that have largely been known to associate with paraneoplastic neurological syndromes seem to be non-directly pathogenic, but still constitute good biomarkers and essential for disease characterization. The aim of this Research Topic is to provide a cutting-edge overview of the aforementioned central and peripheral autoimmune disorders with neuroglial antibodies, through both review and original research articles. We are interested in novel or particular clinical associations, previously neglected aspects (e.g., epidemiology, triggering factors), evaluations of tests for antibody detection, meaningful studies addressing neuroimaging, new serum/cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, treatment or outcome, as well as fundamental investigations on the pathogenesis of these disorders. Review articles are encouraged to approach this topic in an original way, such as comparative studies or focused on particular aspects.
The discovery of antibodies against neuroglial antigens of the peripheral and/or central nervous system has greatly expanded the field of neuroimmunology in the last decades. Some of these antibodies have allowed to better define already known entities, such as those recognizing aquaporin-4 (AQP4) or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) in central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating diseases, currently labelled as, respectively, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and MOG-IgG associated diseases (MOGAD). Similarly, our understanding regarding chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) has dramatically changed due to the description of antibodies targeting different paranodal proteins. Likewise, the antibody spectrum of what was previously considered seronegative myasthenia gravis has considerably broadened following the detection of other antibody specificities in that subset of patients. In contrast, the identification of antibodies against N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and other antibodies related to autoimmune encephalitis has led to the description of completely new disorders that have revolutionized neurological practice. Furthermore, many of these recently described antibodies target synaptic or membrane receptors, and have been proven to alter the function or location of their antigens, being therefore directly pathogenic. Conversely, most of the antibodies that have largely been known to associate with paraneoplastic neurological syndromes seem to be non-directly pathogenic, but still constitute good biomarkers and essential for disease characterization. The aim of this Research Topic is to provide a cutting-edge overview of the aforementioned central and peripheral autoimmune disorders with neuroglial antibodies, through both review and original research articles. We are interested in novel or particular clinical associations, previously neglected aspects (e.g., epidemiology, triggering factors), evaluations of tests for antibody detection, meaningful studies addressing neuroimaging, new serum/cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, treatment or outcome, as well as fundamental investigations on the pathogenesis of these disorders. Review articles are encouraged to approach this topic in an original way, such as comparative studies or focused on particular aspects.
