Assay

Voltage gated potassium channel (VGKC) antibodies

Key Words

Voltage gated potassium channel antibodies, VGKC

Specimen Collection

Serum (Brown) and or CSF

Turnaround time

14 days

This test is referred to another centre:

Churchill Hospital

Old Road

Headington

Oxford

OX3 7LE

0300 304 7777

Test indications

Potassium channel antibodies are found in patients with acquired neuromyotonia (40-50%), Morvan’s syndrome, limbic encephalitis (Paraneoplastic and idiopathic) as well as patients with facio-branchial dystonic seizures (FBDS). Both Morvan’s and Limbic encephalitis can be associated with thymoma or small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC).

VGKC antibodies have recently been renamed VGKC-complex antibodies, as it is now recognised that the VGKCs are tightly complexed with other proteins. The most common complex proteins discovered are LGI1 and CASPR2. These proteins will be tested automatically if VGKC result is positive.

Methodology

Contact referral laboratory

Interferences

Contact referral laboratory

Reference Range

Contact referral laboratory

Analytical error

 Contact referral laboratory

Reference change value

 N/A