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Neuronal antibodies

Service
Test Background

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterised by subacute cerebellar ataxia, specific tumour types and (often) associated anti-neuronal antibodies (of which there have been 9 characterised.) Initial screen includes Yo and Ri; the following antibodies are available.

Antibody Staining pattern Associated tumours
Yo (PCA-1) Purkinje cell cytoplasm and axons Ovary, breast
Ma (Ma1) Neuronal nuclei Various cancer
Ta (Ma2) Neuronal nuclei, perikaryon Testicular cancer
Hu (ANNA1) Nuclei of both central and peripheral neurones SCLC
Ri (ANNA2) Nuclei of central neurones Breast, SCLC, gynaecological
CV2/CRMP Oligodendrocytes cytoplasm SCLC, thymoma
Amphiphysin Central presynaptic terminals Breast cancer, SCLC
Clinical Indications

Please include full clinical details to ensure the most appropriate antibodies are tested.

Reference Range

Negative

Sample volume
5 -10 mL (1 mL serum)
Turnaround time
14 days
Sample & Container Required
RST (rust top), Gel SST (yellow top), Can also be performed on CSF

Record last updated
August 26, 2025

Sample Container

5ml RST Vacutainers (Rust top)

Sample Container

5ml SST Vacutainers (Gold / Yellow top)

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Test Results

Yes, we have a Pathology User Guide

Yes. Please email your request to Imperial.nwlpcustomerservice@nhs.net

Results are communicated to clinical staff and are normally not communicated direct to patients either on telephone requests or in written report. If you need to contact us please click here to view the contact details page

Please contact the Customer Service Team Monday to Friday from 8:30am – 6:00pm on 0203 313 5353. Alternatively, see the Pathology User Guide for how to contact the relevant department. If advice is not urgent you can also email your query to Imperial.nwlpcustomerservice@nhs.net

Additional tests may be added by discussion with the relevant laboratory. The time limit for adding additional tests to a sample already received in the laboratory will depend on the type of sample and the department it was sent to.

Information on the repertoire of tests performed by pathology, including reference ranges, turnaround times and specimen requirements, can be found in the test directory.

NWLP operates UKAS accredited medical laboratories as per the references below. The current scope of accreditation for all NWLP’s laboratories can be found on the UKAS website.

See the following UKAS ref numbers:

  • Clinical Biochemistry Ref: 8673
  • Haematology and Blood Transfusion Ref: 8674
  • Infection & Immunity Sciences (Including Immunology, Virology, Microbiology and Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics ) Ref: 8659
  • Cellular Pathology (Including Histopathology, Cytology and Molecular Pathology) Ref: 9615

If you require copies of our certificate of accreditation and associated documentation please contact Imperial.nwlpcustomerservice@nhs.net.

UKAS requires the laboratories to be accredited for a particular repertoire/scope (ISO15189), any changes or additions to repertoire require assessment by UKAS (extension to scope).

The BD Hospital Tube GuideBD GP Tube Guide and BD Paediatric Tube Guide provide visual references to the correct tube types and collection instructions.

Home testing

INSTRUCTION SHEET FOR BLOOD SAMPLE COLLECTION 

We also have two instruction videos available (one with subtitles and one without) – please click on the links to view the videos on Google.

VIDEO ON BLOOD SAMPLE COLLECTION (without subtitles)

VIDEO ON BLOOD SAMPLE COLLECTION (with subtitles)

Our accreditations

Upholding excellence in diagnostic standards

Our laboratories are accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) against the international standard ISO15189:2022. UKAS is the accreditation body for the UK that assesses medical laboratories.

Find out more about our accreditations on the UKAS website.

UKAS website
Man in the lab handling a sample