Glutamic Acid Decarboxylaze
A brain enzyme called glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) controls the production of a crucial brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) necessary for brain cells to communicate properly without getting overly stimulated. When the immune system attacks GAD, it leads to an underproduction of GABA. This imbalance causes a range of symptoms, including seizures, unusual psychiatric behavior and cognitive decline. (A particular brain biopsy showed dead nerve cells caused by moderate inflammation, indicating that the antibodies had been attacking her brain for years. She was treated wtih corticosteroids to suppress the inflammation; given intravenous immunoglobulin. )
The enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is of great importance for the neurotransmission in the central nervous system, and therefore of interest for treatment of pain and neurological disease. However, it is also released in pancreas although its role is not quite clear. GAD is a major auto-antigen in the process leading to type 1 diabetes with both a clear cell-mediated immune response to GAD and auto-antibodies to GAD (GADA), which can be used as a predictor of diabetes.
The enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is of great importance for the neurotransmission in the central nervous system, and therefore of interest for treatment of pain and neurological disease. However, it is also released in pancreas although its role is not quite clear. GAD is a major auto-antigen in the process leading to type 1 diabetes with both a clear cell-mediated immune response to GAD and auto-antibodies to GAD (GADA), which can be used as a predictor of diabetes.