Methods of detecting antibodies to one or more glycosphingolipid(s) of
interest in a sample are disclosed which comprise using a solid-phase
reactant having carbonyl groups attached thereon, and the
glycosphingolipid(s) of interest linked to the solid-phase reactant by an
amide bond between an amino group of the glycosphingolipid of interest and
a carbonyl group attached to the solid-phase reactant. The methods of
detecting antibodies to glycosphingolipid(s) of interest can be used in
methods of diagnosing autoimmune diseases in an individual.