DIAGNOSIS OF EPILEPSY BY ANALYSIS OF BLOO D AUTOANTIBODIES TO GLUTAMATE NEURORECEPTORS

The glutamate receptor autoantibody level was studied in blood of 170 epileptic patients as well as of 114 control donors (64 patients with nonepileptic cerebral pathology and 50 healthy individuals). The eleva tion of autoantibodies level (higher then 140%) was observed in 63,5% of patients with paroxysmal epileptic disturbances. This elevation was observed more frequently in the initial period of the disease as well as In generalized (convulsive or nonconvulsive) fits irrespective of disease etiology. Combined application of the test with EEG method per mitted to confirm the epileptic nature of the disease In 83,5% of case s. The results of repeated analysis of glutamate receptor autoantibody level in blood proved to be a significant criterion of the effectiven ess of anticonvulsive therapy. It also allowed to predict the developm ent of posttraumatic epilepsy in individuals with craniocerebral traum a in the past.