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 theron, 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.