• David Bourke, Richard Roxburgh, Angela Vincent, James Cleland, Oliver Jeffery, Niels Dugan, David Abernethy, Allison King, and Neil Anderson.
• National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK. Electronic address: davidajbourke@hotmail.com.
• J Clin Neurosci. 2014 May 1;21(5):876-8.

AbstractGlycine receptor (GlyR) antibodies have been identified in patients with rigidity and hyperekplexia, but the clinical phenotype associated with these antibodies has not been fully elucidated. The clinical features in two additional patients with GlyR antibodies are described. A 55-year-old man presented with stimulus-induced hyperekplexia and rigidity in the lower limbs and trunk. He initially responded to benzodiazepines, but presented after 18 months with severe, painful, prolonged spasms associated with supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias, hypoventilation and oxygen desaturation requiring intubation. He improved following treatment with clonazepam, baclofen and immunomodulatory therapies. A 58-year-old woman presented with stiffness in the legs and hyperekplexia associated with hypoventilation, at times leading to loss of consciousness. She responded to benzodiazepines and has remained in remission. The clinical picture associated with GlyR antibodies includes autonomic dysfunction, cardiac arrhythmias and hypoventilation. It is important to recognise these serious complications early to limit mortality from this treatable condition.Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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