Neural Zoomer Plus (VibrantWellness)

The Neural Zoomer Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural Zoomer Plus is designed to assess an individual’s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens, which may have connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases.

With a panel of 48 of the most well-studied neurological autoantibodies, the Neural Zoomer Plus is able to guide providers in treatment protocols by pinpointing the mechanisms behind disease progression and providing a roadmap to solutions and improved health outcomes in this challenging arena of disease.

The test also has optional additional genetic testing for the ApoE genotype, which has been shown to influence risk for certain neurological conditions.

The Vibrant Neural Zoomer Plus aims to reduce the prevalence of neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention.

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Neurological autoimmunity is a misguided immune response to virtually any structure within the central nervous system (CNS) or peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Studies show that neurological antibodies may have connections with a variety of neurologically related diseases that can progress slowly over decades if lifestyle modifications and medical interventions are not implemented.

Common symptoms associated with autoimmunity in the nervous system include:

  • Cognitive decline
  • Memory loss
  • Ataxia
  • Balance problems
  • Neuropathy
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Encephalitis
  • Muscle spasms
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Dementia
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Muscle stiffness/rigidity
  • Optical decline
  • Neuromyelitis optica
  • History of concussion
  • Autism
  • PANDAS/ANDAS/OCD
  • Demyelinating diseases

Anti-Acetylcholine receptors (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Acetylcholine receptors are responsible for binding acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter for signal transduction in CNS. They are localized in neuromuscular junctions. Antibodies against acetylcholine receptor are found in myasthenia gravis disease, which destroys the receptor function, leading to a neuromuscular transmission defect, which then causes hypofunction, fatigue, and inflammation of skeletal muscles and produces serum antibodies against muscle antigens.

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Anti-Acetylcholine receptors (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Acetylcholine receptors are responsible for binding acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter for signal transduction in CNS. They are localized in neuromuscular junctions. Antibodies against acetylcholine receptor are found in myasthenia gravis disease, which destroys the receptor function, leading to a neuromuscular transmission defect, which then causes hypofunction, fatigue, and inflammation of skeletal muscles and produces serum antibodies against muscle antigens.

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Anti-Amphiphysin (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Antibodies against Amphiphysin occur in patients with paraneoplastic variant Stiff person syndrome but can also be seen in autoimmune encephalitis. Antibodies against Amphiphysin are associated with breast cancer and small cell lung cancer. Neurological symptoms may precede the diagnosis of cancer with up to five years. 

Antibodies against Amphiphysin are graded as High-risk antibodies with a frequency of 80% of underlying cancer and a positive result yield 3 points PNS score, according to Updated Diagnostic Criteria for Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndromes. 

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Anti-Amphiphysin (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Antibodies against Amphiphysin occur in patients with paraneoplastic variant Stiff person syndrome but can also be seen in autoimmune encephalitis. Antibodies against Amphiphysin are associated with breast cancer and small cell lung cancer. Neurological symptoms may precede the diagnosis of cancer with up to five years. 

Antibodies against Amphiphysin are graded as High-risk antibodies with a frequency of 80% of underlying cancer and a positive result yield 3 points PNS score, according to Updated Diagnostic Criteria for Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndromes. 

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Anti-Aquaporin 4 (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Antibodies to aquaporin 4 constitute a sensitive and highly specific serum marker of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) that can facilitate the differential diagnosis of NMO and classic multiple sclerosis.

Neuromyelitis optica is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). The discovery of circulating IgG antibodies against the astrocyte water channel protein aquaporin 4 (AQP4) and the evidence that AQP4 IgG is involved in the development of neuromyelitis optica revolutionized the understanding of the disease. Anti aquaporin 4 antibodies have also been shown in patients with peripheral demyelination. In addition, human aquaporin 4 shows cross-reactivity with corn and soybean aquaporins.

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Anti-Aquaporin 4 (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Antibodies to aquaporin 4 constitute a sensitive and highly specific serum marker of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) that can facilitate the differential diagnosis of NMO and classic multiple sclerosis.

Neuromyelitis optica is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). The discovery of circulating IgG antibodies against the astrocyte water channel protein aquaporin 4 (AQP4) and the evidence that AQP4 IgG is involved in the development of neuromyelitis optica revolutionized the understanding of the disease. Anti aquaporin 4 antibodies have also been shown in patients with peripheral demyelination. In addition, human aquaporin 4 shows cross-reactivity with corn and soybean aquaporins.

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Anti-CV2 (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Anti CV2 antibodies are a group of antibodies that react with a 66 kd brain protein belonging to the family of CRMP proteins. The manifestations associated with anti CV2 antibodies include cerebellar degeneration, uveitis, and peripheral neuropathy, and mixed axonal and demyelinating peripheral neuropathy.

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Anti-CV2 (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Anti CV2 antibodies are a group of antibodies that react with a 66 kd brain protein belonging to the family of CRMP proteins. The manifestations associated with anti CV2 antibodies include cerebellar degeneration, uveitis, and peripheral neuropathy, and mixed axonal and demyelinating peripheral neuropathy.

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Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is the major structural protein of the glial intermediate filament of astrocytes that forms part of the cytoskeleton of mature astrocytes and other glial cells, but is not found outside the CNS. Anti-GFAP is produced when the protein enters the bloodstream after a rupture of the blood brain barrier, thus serves as a blood based diagnostic marker of brain injury.

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Anti-Glial fibrillary acidic protein (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is the major structural protein of the glial intermediate filament of astrocytes that forms part of the cytoskeleton of mature astrocytes and other glial cells, but is not found outside the CNS. Anti-GFAP is produced when the protein enters the bloodstream after a rupture of the blood brain barrier, thus serves as a blood based diagnostic marker of brain injury.

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Glucose-regulating protein 78 (GRP78) is a molecular chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that promotes folding and assembly of proteins, controls the quality of proteins, and regulates ER stress signaling through Ca2+ binding to the ER. In tumors, GRP78 is often upregulated, acting as a central stress sensor that senses and adapts to changes in the tumor microenvironment, mediating ER stress of cancer cells under various stimulations of the microenvironment to trigger the folding protein response. 

Increasing evidence has shown that GRP78 is closely associated with the progression and poor prognosis of lung cancer, and plays an important role in the treatment of lung cancer.

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Anti-Glucose regulated protein 78 (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Glucose-regulating protein 78 (GRP78) is a molecular chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that promotes folding and assembly of proteins, controls the quality of proteins, and regulates ER stress signaling through Ca2+ binding to the ER. In tumors, GRP78 is often upregulated, acting as a central stress sensor that senses and adapts to changes in the tumor microenvironment, mediating ER stress of cancer cells under various stimulations of the microenvironment to trigger the folding protein response. 

Increasing evidence has shown that GRP78 is closely associated with the progression and poor prognosis of lung cancer, and plays an important role in the treatment of lung cancer.

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Anti-GM1 (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Detection of ganglioside M1 (GM1) antibodies, usually of the IgM isotype, is associated with multi-focal motor neuropathy and lower motor neuropathy, characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy. Multi-focal motor neuropathy may occur with or without high serum titers of anti-GM1 antibodies. GM1 antibodies are detected in approximately 50 % of persons with multi-focal motor neuropathy.

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Anti-GM1 (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Detection of ganglioside M1 (GM1) antibodies, usually of the IgM isotype, is associated with multi-focal motor neuropathy and lower motor neuropathy, characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy. Multi-focal motor neuropathy may occur with or without high serum titers of anti-GM1 antibodies. GM1 antibodies are detected in approximately 50 % of persons with multi-focal motor neuropathy.

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Anti-GM2 (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

GM2 ganglioside is a potential peripheral nerve antigen for neuropathy-associated autoantibodies. Anti-GM2 IgM antibodies have been reported in some patients with dysimmune neuropathy or lower motor neuron syndrome, in whom they were often associated with a concomitant reactivity with GM1.

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Anti-GM2 (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

GM2 ganglioside is a potential peripheral nerve antigen for neuropathy-associated autoantibodies. Anti-GM2 IgM antibodies have been reported in some patients with dysimmune neuropathy or lower motor neuron syndrome, in whom they were often associated with a concomitant reactivity with GM1.

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Anti-Hu (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

The anti-Hu antibody is the most frequent manifestation of sensory neuropathy with frequent autonomic involvement. The clinical patterns of the neuropathies is in keeping with accordance with the cellular distribution of the HuD antigen.

→ Antibodies to Hu, Ri and Yo antigens are present in patients with paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome such as encephalomyelitis.

Hu antibodies are frequently associated with small cell lung cancer and neuroblastoma.

Hu antibodies are rarely associated with non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer or seminoma.

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Anti-Hu (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

The anti-Hu antibody is the most frequent manifestation of sensory neuropathy with frequent autonomic involvement. The clinical patterns of the neuropathies is in keeping with accordance with the cellular distribution of the HuD antigen.

→ Antibodies to Hu, Ri and Yo antigens are present in patients with paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome such as encephalomyelitis.

→ Hu antibodies are frequently associated with small cell lung cancer and neuroblastoma.

→ Hu antibodies are rarely associated with non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer or seminoma.

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Anti-MAG (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) is a trans-membrane protein of both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) myelin (= an insulating layer, or sheath that forms around nerves), involved in the process of myelination (= the formation of a myelin sheath).

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Anti-MAG (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) is a trans-membrane protein of both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) myelin (= an insulating layer, or sheath that forms around nerves), involved in the process of myelination (= the formation of a myelin sheath).

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Anti-Microglia (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Microglia are a type of macrophage located throughout the brain and spinal cord that act as the first and main form of active immune defense in the CNS. These markers indicate a destruction of the blood brain barrier and are found to play a role in tissue destruction of Alzheimer’s disease.

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Anti-Microglia (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Microglia are a type of macrophage located throughout the brain and spinal cord that act as the first and main form of active immune defense in the CNS. These markers indicate a destruction of the blood brain barrier and are found to play a role in tissue destruction of Alzheimer’s disease.

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Anti-Muscle specific kinase (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) is a single-pass transmembrane protein that has a critical role in signaling between motor neurons and skeletal muscle. Anti-MuSK is an important marker in patients without anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies in myasthenia gravis disease.

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Anti-Muscle specific kinase (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) is a single-pass transmembrane protein that has a critical role in signaling between motor neurons and skeletal muscle. Anti-MuSK is an important marker in patients without anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies in myasthenia gravis disease.

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Anti-Myelin basic protein (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Myelin basic protein (MBP) is a protein believed to be important in the process of myelination of nerves in the nervous system. Anti-Myelin basic protein is related to the risk for multiple sclerosis, autism, PANDAS/ANDAS/OCD, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

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Anti-Myelin basic protein (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Myelin basic protein (MBP) is a protein believed to be important in the process of myelination of nerves in the nervous system. Anti-Myelin basic protein is related to the risk for multiple sclerosis, autism, PANDAS/ANDAS/OCD, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

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Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is a glycoprotein associated with the myelination of nerves in the central nervous system (CNS).

MOG is found in the myelin that insulates the nerves of the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Damage to myelin causes disruption in the transmission of nerve signals in the body and a variety of symptoms.

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Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is a glycoprotein associated with the myelination of nerves in the central nervous system (CNS).

MOG is found in the myelin that insulates the nerves of the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Damage to myelin causes disruption in the transmission of nerve signals in the body and a variety of symptoms.

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Anti-Myelin proteolipid protein (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Myelin proteolipid protein (= PLP) is the major membrane protein of central nervous system (CNS) myelin sheath that surrounds and protects nerve fibers and its expression is largely limited to oligodendrocytes (myelinating cells of the central nervous system).

Anti-myelin proteolipid protein antibodies (anti-PLP antibodies) are produced by the immune system and can attack the myelin sheath, leading to damage and destruction of nerve fibers.

Anti-myelin proteolipid protein antibodies are a useful marker in patients with seronegative anti-myelin basic protein, the frequent marker in active multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis.

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Anti-Myelin proteolipid protein (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Myelin proteolipid protein (= PLP) is the major membrane protein of central nervous system (CNS) myelin sheath that surrounds and protects nerve fibers and its expression is largely limited to oligodendrocytes (myelinating cells of the central nervous system).

Anti-myelin proteolipid protein antibodies (anti-PLP antibodies) are produced by the immune system and can attack the myelin sheath, leading to damage and destruction of nerve fibers.

Anti-myelin proteolipid protein antibodies are a useful marker in patients with seronegative anti-myelin basic protein, the frequent marker in active multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis.

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Anti-Neurofascin (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Neurofascin (NF) is a cell adhesion molecule (= cell adhesion molecules are transmembrane glycoproteins that enable cells to bind together and attach to the extracellular matrix).

NF is expressed in both the CNS and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and plays important roles in developing and maintaining neural structures.

Anti-neurofascin autoantibodies are found mainly in combined central and peripheral demyelination (CCPD), a rare demyelinating condition affecting both CNS and peripheral nervous system (PNS) tissues, and also in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and axonal injury in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Recognition of this antibody may be important in treatment management, becauseanti-neurofascin seropositive CCPD patients respond well to Intravenous Immunoglobulin or plasma exchange treatments.

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Anti-Neurofascin (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Neurofascin (NF) is a cell adhesion molecule (= cell adhesion molecules are transmembrane glycoproteins that enable cells to bind together and attach to the extracellular matrix).

NF is expressed in both the CNS and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and plays important roles in developing and maintaining neural structures.

Anti-neurofascin autoantibodies are found mainly in combined central and peripheral demyelination (CCPD), a rare demyelinating condition affecting both CNS and peripheral nervous system (PNS) tissues, and also in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and axonal injury in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Recognition of this antibody may be important in treatment management, becauseanti-neurofascin seropositive CCPD patients respond well to Intravenous Immunoglobulin or plasma exchange treatments.

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Anti-Neuron specific enolase (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Neuron specific enolase is a protein enzyme that is encoded by the ENO2 gene. It is found in mature neurons and cells of neuronal origin. Antibodies against neuron specific enolase are found in patients with optical neuropathies (= damage inflicted on the optic nerve in your eye).

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Anti-Neuron specific enolase (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Neuron specific enolase is a protein enzyme that is encoded by the ENO2 gene. It is found in mature neurons and cells of neuronal origin. Antibodies against neuron specific enolase are found in patients with optical neuropathies (= damage inflicted on the optic nerve in your eye).

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Anti-Purkinje cell

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Purkinje cells, or Purkinje neurons, are a class of GABAergic neurons located in the cerebellum. Purkinje cells are aligned like dominos stacked one in front of the other. Their large dendritic arbors form nearly two-dimensional layers through which parallel fibers from the deeper-layers pass.

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Anti-Recoverin (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Anti recoverin antibodies are one of the key components of antibody disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). They have also been shown to be associated with retinopathy, which is characterized by impaired vision and photosensitivity.

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Anti-Recoverin (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

Anti recoverin antibodies are one of the key components of antibody disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). They have also been shown to be associated with retinopathy, which is characterized by impaired vision and photosensitivity.

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Anti-Ri (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

The presence of anti-Ri antibody identifies a subset of patients with paraneoplastic ataxia and eye movement disorders (opsoclonus) who usually suffer from breast or other gynecological cancer; the antibody when present is a useful marker for an underlying malignancy.

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Anti-Ri (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

The presence of anti-Ri antibody identifies a subset of patients with paraneoplastic ataxia and eye movement disorders (opsoclonus) who usually suffer from breast or other gynecological cancer; the antibody when present is a useful marker for an underlying malignancy.

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Anti-s100b (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

The S100B is a calcium-binding peptide and is used as a parameter of glial activation and/or death in many disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). It plays important roles in normal CNS development and recovery after injury.

Although S100B is mainly found in astroglial and Schwann cells, it also has extracerebral sources.

S100B is a useful neurobiochemical marker of brain damage such as in circulatory arrest, stroke and traumatic brain injury.

S100B is also associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease or other chronic neurological diseases.

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Anti-s100b (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

The S100B is a calcium-binding peptide and is used as a parameter of glial activation and/or death in many disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). It plays important roles in normal CNS development and recovery after injury.

Although S100B is mainly found in astroglial and Schwann cells, it also has extracerebral sources.

S100B is a useful neurobiochemical marker of brain damage such as in circulatory arrest, stroke and traumatic brain injury.

S100B is also associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease or other chronic neurological diseases.

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Anti-Tubulin (IgG + IgA)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

ANTIBODIES ASSOCIATED WITH:
This test by itself is not diagnostic for any condition or disease

Alcoholic Liver Disease
Demyelinating Disease
Graves’ Disease
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Infectious agent exposure
PANDAS / ANDAS / OCD
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Recent Onset Type 1 Diabetes Toxin Exposure

Known Cross-Reactions: Streptococcal Protein

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Function: Tubulin is a building block protein and a major component of a cell’s internal cytoskeleton, called microtubules. These structures play key roles in many cellular functions including, interaction with guanine, lateral contacts, interaction with beta and gamma phosphates of nucleotides, interaction with gamma phosphate, longitudinal contacts, backbone interactions with α and β phosphates, hydrophobic contact of conserved residues, nucleotide contacts, MAP-binding domain and acetylation site.

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Anti-Tubulin (IgM)

Optimal range: 0.1 - 10 Units

ANTIBODIES ASSOCIATED WITH:
This test by itself is not diagnostic for any condition or disease

Alcoholic Liver Disease
Demyelinating Disease
Graves’ Disease
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Infectious agent exposure
PANDAS / ANDAS / OCD
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Recent Onset Type 1 Diabetes Toxin Exposure

Known Cross-Reactions: Streptococcal Protein

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Function: Tubulin is a building block protein and a major component of a cell’s internal cytoskeleton, called microtubules. These structures play key roles in many cellular functions including, interaction with guanine, lateral contacts, interaction with beta and gamma phosphates of nucleotides, interaction with gamma phosphate, longitudinal contacts, backbone interactions with α and β phosphates, hydrophobic contact of conserved residues, nucleotide contacts, MAP-binding domain and acetylation site.

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Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are a group of voltage-gated ion channels found in the membrane of excitable cells such as muscle, glial cells, and neurons. They are key transducers of membrane potential changes into intracellular Ca2+ transients that initiate many physiological events. In neurons, voltage-gated Ca2+ channels initiate synaptic transmission. Anti-voltage-gated calcium channel autoantibodies are responsible for Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), a rare autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction.

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