Antiganglioside antibodies in polyneuropathy associated with monoclonal gammopathy

Antibody reactivity to GA1, GM1, GM2, GD1a, GD1b, and GQ1b gangliosides was measured in 87 patients with polyneuropathy associated with monoclonal gam mopathy (60 IgM, 25 IgG, 2 IgA) and 42 control patients with monoclonal gam mopathy without polyneuropathy (21 IgM, 21 IgG). Of these 87 patients, 30% had anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein antibodies and 15% had antiganglios ide antibodies. Antiganglioside antibodies were significantly associated wi th demyelinating neuropathy and with IgM monoclonal gammopathy. Anti-GD1b a nd anti-GQ1b antibodies were significantly associated with predominantly se nsory ataxic neuropathy.