Longitudinal electroencephalographic(EEG) finding in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate(Anti-NMDA) receptor encephalitis / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (anti-NMDA) receptor encephalitis during different courses of the disease. Methods This study enrolled 30 cases of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis patients. A total of 58 EEG monitoring reports and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed based on different disease courses and severity of disease. According to the clinical stages, EEG data was divided into 4 phases the initial stage (4), the peak stage (23), the improvement stage (16) and the recovery stage(15). Based on severity of disease during the peak stage, patients were divided into mild group(10 cases) and severe group (13 cases). Results Occipital background activity of the EEG was presented in all patients (100%) in the initial stage and in the recovery stage, in 39.1%(9/23)in the peak stage and in 13/16 (81.2%)in the improvement stage. Generalized rhythmic delta activity (GRDA) pattern could only be detected in the peak stage and the improvement stage. In the peak stage, the main presentation of abnormal EEG was diffuse slow-wave (9 cases, 90%) in mild group. GRDA and extreme delta brush(EDB) were more common in severe group than in mild group(P<0.05). Three focal epilepsy including one status epilepticus were detected in three patients in the peak stage. Focal epileptiform discharges in EEG existed in the whole course. Conclusion Occipital background activity and GRDA pattern are evolved and gradually recovered during the course of the disease. The EEG patterns of GRDA and EDB are common in severe anti- NMDA receptor encephalitis patients in the peak stage. Focal epileptiform discharges in EEG can be detected during the whole course.