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.

What It Measures

The test detects IgG and IgA antibodies targeting Purkinje cells, the primary inhibitory neurons in the cerebellum, responsible for motor coordination and cognitive processing. These antibodies may bind to intracellular or membrane-associated proteins, such as ARHGAP26 (linked to cerebellar ataxia) or Yo antigens (e.g., CDR2/CDR2L in paraneoplastic syndromes).

Clinical Relevance

Anti-Purkinje cell antibodies are associated with:

• Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration (PCD):

  • Strongly linked to underlying cancers (e.g., breast, ovarian, or lung malignancies), with 90-98% of anti-Yo-positive cases having neoplasms.

  • Symptoms include subacute cerebellar ataxia, dysarthria, and diplopia.

• Autoimmune Cerebellar Ataxia:

  • Non-paraneoplastic cases often target antigens like ARHGAP26 or RGS8, causing inflammatory cerebellar damage.

• Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Disorders:

  • Anti-Purkinje antibodies (IgG) are reported in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and ADHD, correlating with acute psychopathology and positive symptoms.

  • May disrupt cerebellar-limbic circuits involved in emotion and cognition.

The Anti-Purkinje cell (IgM) marker on Vibrant America’s Neural Zoomer Plus panel detects IgM-class autoantibodies targeting Purkinje cells, specialized neurons in the cerebellum that are critical for motor coordination. This test is part of a broader evaluation for neurological autoimmunity, helping identify immune-mediated damage linked to conditions like cerebellar ataxia, paraneoplastic syndromes, or neurodegenerative disorders.

What is Anti-RAGE Peptide?

The Anti-RAGE peptide (IgG + IgA) marker measures the presence of antibodies against the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) in the blood. This receptor plays a crucial role in inflammation, immune system regulation, and neural function. RAGE is highly expressed in the brain, particularly in neurons, microglia, and endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier.

Moderately Elevated Anti-RAGE Peptide (IgG + IgA) – What Does It Mean?

A moderate elevation in Anti-RAGE Peptide (IgG + IgA) on the Neural Zoomer Plus panel suggests an ongoing but not severe immune response against the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE). This may indicate low-grade neuroinflammation, early-stage neurological dysfunction, or an autoimmune process that is not yet fully developed.

Possible Implications of a Moderate Elevation:

1. Early or Mild Neuroinflammation

   • The immune system is reacting to RAGE, but the inflammatory response is not yet severe.
   • This could be associated with brain fog, mild cognitive dysfunction, headaches, or early neurodegenerative changes.

2. Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption (Mild to Moderate)

   • RAGE plays a role in blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity.
   • A moderate increase in anti-RAGE antibodies may indicate some permeability changes, allowing unwanted substances or immune cells to cross into the brain.

3. Metabolic & Glycation-Related Stress

   • RAGE interacts with advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which accumulate in conditions like insulin resistance, diabetes, and oxidative stress.
   • A moderate elevation might be a sign of subclinical metabolic dysfunction rather than an overt disease process.

4. Autoimmune Activity – Subclinical or Developing

   • A moderately elevated result may be an early indicator of autoimmune activity, particularly in conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (SLE), or rheumatoid arthritis.
   • However, without other strongly positive markers, it may suggest a transient immune activation rather than an established autoimmune disease.

5. Chronic Low-Grade Infection or Environmental Trigger

   • Mild elevations can occur due to persistent infections, chronic stress, gut dysbiosis, or environmental toxins that subtly activate the immune system over time.

What Should You Do If Moderately Elevated?

• Monitor Symptoms: Pay attention to changes in cognitive function, mood, energy levels, or neurological symptoms.
• Assess Inflammation & Oxidative Stress: Consider testing CRP, homocysteine, oxidative stress markers, and metabolic health to evaluate systemic inflammation.
• Support the Blood-Brain Barrier & Nervous System:
  • Anti-inflammatory diet (reduce processed foods, refined sugars, and AGEs from overcooked/fried foods).
  • Gut-brain support (probiotics, glutathione, polyphenols).
  • Antioxidants (curcumin, resveratrol, alpha-lipoic acid).
• Address Potential Triggers: Investigate toxic exposures (mold, heavy metals, pesticides), chronic infections, and immune dysfunction.
• Follow-Up Testing: If symptoms progress, consider re-testing anti-RAGE antibodies and other neural immune markers over time.

Bottom Line:

A moderately elevated Anti-RAGE Peptide (IgG + IgA) result is not necessarily pathological but may indicate early neuroinflammatory activity, metabolic stress, or mild blood-brain barrier disruption. It is important to monitor changes, manage inflammation, and identify possible contributing factors to prevent progression toward neurodegeneration or autoimmune disease.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Anti-RNP antibodies are a key biomarker used in diagnosing autoimmune diseases, particularly mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), where they are present in nearly all patients. These antibodies target the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (U1 snRNP) and are also found in other conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, and polymyositis, though in lower percentages. While high levels of anti-RNP antibodies are diagnostic of MCTD, they can also indicate milder disease manifestations in other autoimmune conditions, such as Raynaud's phenomenon and less severe renal involvement in SLE. Testing methods like ELISA and immunoblotting are commonly used to detect these antibodies, which provide valuable insights into autoimmune disease mechanisms but must be interpreted alongside clinical symptoms and other diagnostic results.

The Anti-Ro (SS-A) Antibody test is a critical diagnostic tool in the assessment of autoimmune diseases. This test detects antibodies against the Ro/SS-A antigen, a protein implicated in the development of certain autoimmune conditions. The presence of Anti-Ro (SS-A) antibodies is notably associated with Sjögren's syndrome, a disorder characterized by dry eyes and mouth, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

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.

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.

Anti-sarcolemma antibodies are a type of antibodies that can be found in certain medical conditions. They are specifically associated with cardiac muscle disorders and are often detected in patients with conditions such as Dressler's syndrome after myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, rheumatic fever, and those who have undergone cardiac surgery. These antibodies can target various antigens, including adenine nucleotide translocator protein, cardiac myosin, and tropomyosin.

Antisarcolemmal (ASAs) are a serologic hallmark of inflammatory heart muscle disease (= Myocarditis) and its sequelae (= any complication or condition that results from a pre-existing illness, injury, or medical intervention).

Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium). The inflammation can reduce the heart's ability to pump blood. Myocarditis can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and rapid or irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

Anti-Scl-70 antibodies, also known as Anti-Topoisomerase I antibodies, are a specific type of autoantibody primarily associated with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), a chronic autoimmune disease. These antibodies target the enzyme topoisomerase I, which is involved in DNA replication and repair. The presence of Anti-Scl-70 antibodies is clinically significant as they are found in approximately 20-40% of patients with systemic sclerosis, particularly in those with the diffuse cutaneous form of the disease.

Anti-Sm antibodies (Anti-Smith antibodies) are autoantibodies that are strongly associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic autoimmune disease. The presence of Anti-Sm antibodies is considered a specific marker for SLE, as these antibodies are rarely found in individuals without the disease. It is reported that approximately 99% of individuals without SLE lack Anti-Sm antibodies, but they are present in only about 20% of people with SLE, indicating that while their presence is highly specific to SLE, they are not found in all cases of the disease.