A systematic review of Gamma-aminobutyric Acid Receptor Type B autoimmunity.

OBJECTIVE: To review the available research to describe the clinical characteristics and neoplastic associations of patients with gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor type B (GABAB-R) autoantibodies.

METHODS: Literature was reviewed on PubMed, Mendeley literature search, and the American Academy of Neurology database for articles published from June 2008 to October of 2018 using a variety of key words. These key words include: "gamma-aminobutyric acid seizures," "gamma-aminobutyric acid limbic encephalitis", "GABA(B) receptor antibodies," "autoimmune encephalitis," "autoimmune epilepsy," "GABA(B) encephalitis, " and "GABA paraneoplastic." With the results, the papers were reviewed in a systematic manner.

RESULTS: A total of 10 studies were reviewed. A summary of the demographic, clinical, and serological findings of the cases detailed in the literature are provided. An additional illustrative case is described. In total, 94 patients were reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS: GABAB-R autoimmune disease is characterized by refractory seizures or status epilepticus and frequent association with small cell lung cancer. Additionally, a substantial minority of patients have non-inflammatory CSF.