The Diagnosis and Treatment of Autoimmune Encephalitis
Journal of Clinical Neurology
;
: 1-13, 2016.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-158264
ABSTRACT
Autoimmune encephalitis causes subacute deficits of memory and cognition, often followed by suppressed level of consciousness or coma. A careful history and examination may show early clues to particular autoimmune causes, such as neuromyotonia, hyperekplexia, psychosis, dystonia, or the presence of particular tumors. Ancillary testing with MRI and EEG may be helpful for excluding other causes, managing seizures, and, rarely, for identifying characteristic findings. Appropriate autoantibody testing can confirm specific diagnoses, although this is often done in parallel with exclusion of infectious and other causes. Autoimmune encephalitis may be divided into several groups of diseases those with pathogenic antibodies to cell surface proteins, those with antibodies to intracellular synaptic proteins, T-cell diseases associated with antibodies to intracellular antigens, and those associated with other autoimmune disorders. Many forms of autoimmune encephalitis are paraneoplastic, and each of these conveys a distinct risk profile for various tumors. Tumor screening and, if necessary, treatment is essential to proper management. Most forms of autoimmune encephalitis respond to immune therapies, although powerful immune suppression for weeks or months may be needed in difficult cases. Autoimmune encephalitis may relapse, so follow-up care is important.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Psychotic Disorders
/
Recurrence
/
Seizures
/
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
/
T-Lymphocytes
/
Mass Screening
/
Follow-Up Studies
/
Stiff-Person Syndrome
/
Cognition
/
Coma
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Screening study
Language:
English
Journal:
Journal of Clinical Neurology
Year:
2016
Type:
Article
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