Purkinje Cell Antibody (Hu and Yo)
Private Purkinje Cell Antibody testing in London for £111.99, measuring one paraneoplastic neurological marker with results expected in around 10 days.
Turnaround time
10 business days
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Purkinje Cell Antibody (Hu and Yo) Test
The Purkinje Cell Antibody blood test detects Hu and Yo neuronal autoantibodies, which are associated with selected autoimmune and paraneoplastic neurological syndromes.
The test assesses 1 specialist neuroimmunology biomarker: Purkinje Cell Antibody (Hu and Yo).
Hu and Yo antibodies belong to a group of antibodies sometimes described as onconeural antibodies.
They can develop when the immune system recognises proteins shared by certain tumour cells and cells within the nervous system.
The resulting immune response can sometimes affect the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves or cerebellum.
Anti-Yo antibodies are particularly associated with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration.
This neurological syndrome can cause rapidly progressive problems with balance, coordination, speech and eye movements.
Anti-Yo antibodies are classically associated with breast and gynaecological malignancies, although the antibody result does not diagnose cancer by itself.
Anti-Hu antibodies are associated with several paraneoplastic neurological presentations, including sensory neuronopathy, encephalomyelitis and limbic encephalitis.
They are particularly associated with small-cell lung cancer, although they can occur in other clinical contexts.
Neurological symptoms can occasionally appear before an underlying tumour has been identified.
For this reason, a clinically significant positive antibody result can lead to further neurological and oncological investigation.
A negative result does not exclude paraneoplastic neurological disease because many other neuronal antibodies exist and some cases remain antibody-negative.
The result should therefore be interpreted alongside neurological examination, imaging, cerebrospinal fluid studies and other neuronal antibody tests.
What Does the Purkinje Cell Antibody (Hu and Yo) Test Check?
The test detects Hu and Yo autoantibodies associated with selected paraneoplastic neurological syndromes. This test measures 1 specialist biomarker.
Purkinje Cell Antibody (Hu and Yo)
Detects Hu and Yo neuronal autoantibodies associated with paraneoplastic neurological syndromes including cerebellar degeneration, sensory neuronopathy and encephalomyelitis.
Who May Benefit From the Purkinje Cell Antibody (Hu and Yo) Test?
This is a specialist neurological test intended for people with symptoms or clinical findings that raise concern about a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome.
People with rapidly progressive balance or coordination problems - Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration can affect gait and limb coordination.
People with unexplained cerebellar symptoms - Anti-Yo antibodies can be associated with autoimmune cerebellar dysfunction.
People with sensory loss or painful sensory neuropathy of uncertain cause - Anti-Hu antibodies can occur with sensory neuronopathy.
People with rapidly developing neurological symptoms and known cancer - Paraneoplastic autoimmunity may need investigation.
People with unexplained neurological symptoms before a cancer has been identified - Neurological autoantibodies can occasionally precede detection of an underlying malignancy.
People with suspected limbic encephalitis or encephalomyelitis - Anti-Hu can occur in these neurological syndromes.
People with a previous abnormal neuronal antibody result - Further testing can help clarify the antibody pattern.
People referred by a neurologist for paraneoplastic antibody testing - Specialist interpretation is important because the significance depends strongly on the neurological syndrome.
How to Prepare
Do not stop immunotherapy or cancer treatment simply to increase the likelihood of antibody detection.
The result should be interpreted by an appropriate specialist alongside the neurological presentation.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Purkinje Cell Antibody (Hu and Yo) Test
Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes can affect different areas of the nervous system and may progress over weeks or months.
Rapidly worsening balance - Cerebellar dysfunction can cause an unsteady gait.
Loss of coordination - Difficulty controlling limb movements can occur with cerebellar disease.
Slurred speech - Dysarthria can develop when cerebellar coordination is impaired.
Abnormal eye movements - Cerebellar syndromes can affect ocular control.
Progressive numbness or sensory loss - Anti-Hu-associated sensory neuronopathy can affect peripheral sensation.
New memory or behavioural changes - Limbic neurological involvement can produce cognitive symptoms.
Neurological symptoms in somebody with a known malignancy - A paraneoplastic mechanism may need to be considered.
Rapidly progressive neurological symptoms, new seizures, major confusion, weakness, difficulty walking or reduced consciousness require prompt neurological assessment.
A private antibody test should not delay urgent investigation where serious neurological disease is suspected.
How to Book Your Purkinje Cell Antibody (Hu and Yo) Test
The Purkinje Cell Antibody test can be booked privately for specialist paraneoplastic neurological assessment.
Choose the Purkinje Cell Antibody (Hu and Yo)
Select the individual Hu and Yo antibody blood test online.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw or professional home or hotel phlebotomy where suitable.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required venous blood sample.
Laboratory analysis
Your serum undergoes specialist testing for Purkinje Cell Antibody (Hu and Yo).
Receive your results securely
Your authorised result is delivered securely and should be interpreted alongside neurological findings and any wider paraneoplastic investigations.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The specialist laboratory turnaround for Purkinje Cell Antibody (Hu and Yo) is approximately 10 days after laboratory receipt.
This is a specialist neuroimmunology assay.
The sample undergoes neuronal antibody analysis, laboratory quality-control procedures and specialist authorisation before release.
Understanding Your Results
A negative result means Hu and Yo antibodies were not detected according to the laboratory method.
This reduces the likelihood of neurological disease associated with these particular antibodies but does not exclude paraneoplastic or autoimmune neurological disease.
Many other neuronal antibodies exist.
A positive Anti-Yo result can support a diagnosis of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration when the neurological presentation is compatible.
A positive Anti-Hu result can occur with sensory neuronopathy, encephalomyelitis, limbic encephalitis and other paraneoplastic neurological syndromes.
A positive result can also prompt investigation for an underlying malignancy.
The antibody result does not identify the cancer site by itself and is not a cancer screening test for otherwise asymptomatic people.
Neurology, oncology, imaging and other investigations may therefore be required.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
London Blood Tests provides private access to specialist Hu and Yo antibody testing for neurological investigation.
Measures specialist paraneoplastic antibodies - The test assesses Hu and Yo neuronal autoantibodies.
Relevant to cerebellar syndromes - Anti-Yo is associated particularly with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration.
Relevant to sensory neurological disease - Anti-Hu can occur with sensory neuronopathy and encephalomyelitis.
Can support investigation where neurological symptoms precede cancer diagnosis - Paraneoplastic symptoms can occasionally appear first.
Can complement broader neuronal antibody testing - Other autoimmune neurological antibodies may be tested where clinically appropriate.
Specialist neuroimmunology analysis - Samples undergo dedicated antibody processing.
Professional blood collection - Clinic and suitable home or hotel phlebotomy appointments are available.
Clear pricing - The Purkinje Cell Antibody (Hu and Yo) test costs £111.99.
Private Purkinje Cell Antibody (Hu and Yo) Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Purkinje Cell Antibody testing for people requiring specialist investigation of paraneoplastic neurological disease.
The test costs £111.99 and measures 1 specialist neuroimmunology biomarker.
Results are expected approximately 10 days after laboratory receipt.
A positive result requires specialist neurological interpretation and may lead to further investigation for an underlying malignancy.