Improving the detection of IgM antibodies against glycolipids complexes of GM1 and galactocerebroside in multifocal motor neuropathy using glycoarray and ELISA assays

Antibodies against complexes of GM1:GalC are detected in multifocal motor neuropathy. Previous studies used different techniques, explaining disparities in the results. Antibodies against GM1 and GM1:GalC with different proportions of GalC were measured with both glycoarray and ELISA in 20 multifocal motor neuropathies, and 45 controls. The 1:5 ratio and the 1:1 ratio of GM1:GalC (weight ratio) were respectively the most effective for glycoarray and for ELISA. Testing for anti-GM1:GalC antibodies increased the sensitivity from 40% with anti-GM1 antibodies to 65% with array and 60% with ELISA without loss in specificity (above 91%). Anti-GM1:GalC antibodies are effective biological tools to diagnose multifocal motor neuropathy