Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2020 | Levodopa | Case report
Atypical parkinsonism and intrathecal anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies – an unusual association: a case report
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2020
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Background
Immunological causes of parkinsonism are very rare and usually characterized by early presentation, poor response to levodopa, and additional clinical features.
Case presentation
We describe a 58-year-old white man who presented with a 1-year history of gait disturbance with disequilibrium leading to falls. We report an association between parkinsonism and presence of anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies in his cerebrospinal fluid, discussing clinical presentation and follow-up.
Conclusions
Besides the possibility of a casual association, this case allows us to hypothesize an alternative pathophysiological mechanism of parkinsonism implying interference with glutamic acid decarboxylase and gamma-aminobutyric acid functions, eventually resulting in basal ganglia circuit dysregulation.