A study of histocompatibility antigens in patients with motor neuron disease in the northern region of England.

• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.49.4.435
• Publication Date: 2008-11-10T21:16:40Z
• Authors: E Woo; S Nightingale; D J Dick; T J Walls; J M French; D Bates
• Keywords: Progressive muscular atrophy; Histocompatibility; Upper motor neuron

Histocompatibility antigen (HLA A, B and DR) serotyping was performed on 65 patients with motor neuron disease in the northern region of England compared to a large control population from Newcastle upon Tyne area. Thirty two had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 17 progressive bulbar palsy 16 muscular atrophy. Ten more slowly course. No significant HLA associations were observed patients. Subdivision by clinical course their did not reveal any associations. Forty six area reduced frequency DR4 local population. The relevance histocompatibility antigens pathogenesis is discussed.