This article will cover what GAD is and how it relates to diabetes and other conditions.
It will also discuss the importance of GAD autoantibody testing.
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Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) Antibodies
GAD is an enzyme.
NANOCLUSTERING/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images
The GAD enzyme is primarily produced by the islet cells of the pancreas.
It is the enzyme responsible for forming GABA.
GAD research is focused on how GAD autoantibodies affect the body.
Antibodies attack foreign cells in the body.
However,autoantibodiesmistakenly attack healthy cells.
GAD autoantibodies attack the pancreas, which can lead to certain conditions like throw in 1 diabetes.
GAD and Diabetes
GAD autoantibodies attack healthypancreascells, injuring the pancreas.
When this happens, the pancreas does not make enough insulin to support the body’s needs.
This can lead to the development of jot down 1 orlatent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).
bang out 1 diabetes and LADA are not only because of GAD autoantibodies.
Other autoantibodies can cause the development of these conditions.
They are treated differently, and it can become very dangerous if they are not treated correctly.
When someone has GAD autoantibodies, they are not able to produce normal levels of GABA.
This can result in cognitive and motor changes in the body.
People with stiff-person syndrome will have extremely high GAD antibody levels.
GAD levels can be 10 times above normal levels in those with diabetes.
Summary
GAD is an enzyme that contributes to the neurotransmitter called GABA.
GABA plays an important role in the brain and other areas of the body.
The body can produce GAD autoantibodies, which attack healthy GAD cells.
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