Clinical applications of intravenous immunoglobulins in neurology. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is used increasingly in the management of patients with neurological conditions. The efficacy and safety of IVIg treatment in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and Guillain-BarrĂ© syndrome (GBS) have been established clearly in randomized controlled trials and summarized in Cochrane systematic reviews. However, questions remain regarding the dose, timing and duration of IVIg treatment in both disorders. Reports about successful IVIg treatment in other neurological conditions exist, but its use remains investigational. IVIg has been shown to be efficacious as second-line therapy in patients with dermatomyositis and suggested to be of benefit in some patients with polymyositis. In patients with inclusion body myositis, IVIg was not shown to be effective. IVIg is also a treatment option in exacerbations of myasthenia gravis. Studies with IVIg in patients with Alzheimer's disease have reported increased plasma anti-Abeta antibody titres associated with decreased Abeta peptide levels in the cerebrospinal fluid following IVIg treatment. These changes at the molecular level were accompanied by improved cognitive function, and large-scale randomized trials are under way.

publication date

  • December 1, 2009

Research

keywords

  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC2801030

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 72149128462

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2009.04025.x

PubMed ID

  • 19883422

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 158 Suppl 1

issue

  • Suppl 1