Description
The term ganglioside refers to the large family of glycosphingolipids that contain sialic acid linked to the oligosaccharide core. Gangliosides are present throughout the body but are very highly concentrated in the nervous system. There are >100 structurally distinct gangliosides. However, four gangliosides, GM1, GD1a, GD1b and GT1b are especially abundant in the brain. These four gangliosides belong to the G1 series, where G stands for ganglioseries ganglioside and where M, D and T stand for mono-, di- and tri-sialosyl groups. Gangliosides reside in the outer layer of the plasma membrane where they may regulate diverse physiological processes including neural cell function, cell-cell recognition, cell adhesion and the activity of enzymes such as protein kinase C and Na- K- ATPase. They influence neurite outgrowth and possess neuroprotective functions. Carbohydrate determinants present on gangliosides have been identified as autoantigens associated with polyneuropathies.
Indications
Monoclonal GD1b, GD2, GD3, GT1b, or GQ1b antibodies of the IgM class are associated with chronic ataxic neuropathy. Polyclonal or monoclonal GM1, GD1b, asialo-GM1 antibodies of the IgM class are associated with multi-focal motor neuropathy. GM1, GM1b, GD1a or GD1a antibodies of the IgG class are associated with Acute motor axonal neuropathy. GQ1b or GT1 antibodies of the IgG class are associated with Miller Fisher syndrome. Acute ophthalmoparesis, Ataxic Guillain-Barre’ syndrome and Pharyngeal cervical brachial weakness are associated with GT1a (GQ1b) antibodies of the IgG class.
Sample Type, Quantity & Conditions
1 ml Serum Stability: 14 Days at 2-8 °C
Special Precautions
Normal Range
Negative