ANTI GLUTAMIC ACID DECARBOXYLASE

Anti-GAD antibodies target an enzyme called Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase which is responsible for converting glutamic acid to GABA. GABA is a chemical found in the cerebellum in high concentrations. Patients with cerebellar ataxia should get an anti-GAD test done. The anti-GAD antibodies have been associated with a disease called "the stiff person syndrome". Anti-GAD antibodies are fairly common diseases like thyroid disease and rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment for anti-GAD antibodies is either corticosteroids or prednisone to help reduce the abnormal immune response.