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NMDA Receptor Antibody, CSF (Southeast Michigan Only)

NMDA, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Antibody, CSF

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1231531, Beaker: NMDA CSF, ARUP: 2005164

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a sterile collection container.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Maintain specimen refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 0.5 mL CSF, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.2 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Hemolyzed specimens.
• Lipemic specimens.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Maintain specimen refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Transport: 0.5 mL CSF, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.2 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 48 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 14 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 1 year

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT.

Performed

Sunday – Saturday.
Results available in 2-4 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Semi-Quantitative Cell-Based Indirect Fluorescent Antibody. 

Clinical Utility

Anti-NMDA receptor IgG antibody is found in a subset of patients with autoimmune limbic encephalitis and may occur with or without associated tumor. Decreasing antibody levels may be associated with therapeutic response; therefore, clinical correlation must be strongly considered. A negative test result does not rule out a diagnosis of autoimmune limbic encephalitis. If NMDA antibody IgG is positive, then an NMDA antibody IgG titer is reported.

CPT Codes

86255, add 86256 if appropriate.

Contacts

Last Updated

11/7/2024