The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing a disease comprising the step detecting in a sample comprising antibodies from a patient an autoantibody binding to a polypeptide selected from the group comprising NSF, STX1B, DNM1 and VAMP2, a polypeptide comprising a polypeptide selected from the group comprising NSF, STX1B, DNM1 and VAMP2, or a variant thereof, a use of said polypeptide for the diagnosis of a disease, an autoantibody binding to a polypeptide selected from the group comprising NSF, STX1B, DNM1 and VAMP2, a use of the autoantibody for the diagnosis of a disease, a method for isolating an autoantibody binding to a polypeptide selected from the group comprising NSF, STX1B, DNM1 and VAMP2, a pharmaceutical composition or medical device comprising said polypeptide according to the present invention, a kit for the diagnosis of a disease comprising said polypeptide or said medical device and a use of said polypeptide or autoantibody for the manufacture of a kit or medical device.