Anti-IgLON5 Disease: A New Autoimmune Disorder

Investigators retrospectively report clinical findings in 22 patients with IgLON5 antibodies. Mean age at diagnosis was 64 years (range, 46–83 years); gender prevalence was balanced. Most patients present with worsening symptoms over several months and an average interval of 2 to 3 years from onset to diagnosis.

The main symptom was that of a sleep disorder — sleep apnea, parasomnias, stridor, and insomnia. Parasomnias included vocalizations, limb movements, and gesturing. Most patients had bulbar symptoms and a gait disorder. Abnormal movements (in 64%) could include chorea, myoclonus, tremor, dystonia, spasms, and parkinsonism. Supranuclear gaze palsy was present in >25%. Cognitive dysfunction was observed in 41%, including dementia in mor…