Acute Cerebellar Ataxia Associated with Modest Elevation of Anti-GAD Antibodies in a Young Patient

Abstract

Background: Anti-GAD-related cerebellar ataxia has rarely been described as an acute cause of autoimmune ataxia. Phenomenology Shown: A young female who acutely developed anti-GAD-associated ataxia with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showing cerebellar edema and follow-up MRI 6 months later showing cerebellar atrophy. Educational Value: Recognize that anti-GAD-associated cerebellar ataxia can present in a young adult as an acute and severe cause of ataxia, with cerebellar changes evident on MRI.

Keywords

• Acute ataxia
• Autoimmune ataxia
• Anti-GAD 65
• Glutamate decarboxylase
• Tremors
• Hyperkinetic movements
• Neurology