Autoimmune encephalitis occurs when a person’s own antibodies or immune cells attack the brain. Antibodies may target specific proteins or receptors in the brain, which determine the type of autoimmune encephalitis.
Anti-NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor encephalitis is autoimmune disorder, in which antibodies are directed against the NMDA receptor in the brain, resulting in neurologic and psychiatric symptoms.
Leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) antibody encephalitis is an autoantibody mediated form of limbic encephalitis. It is the most common antibody-mediated encephalopathy in those over 50 years of age. It was accurately first described in 2010. However, the clinical syndrome was also...
Anti-contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) lgG is a neural specific antibody associated with varied autoimmune neurological disorders including peripheral hyper-excitability, autoimmune encephalitis and autoimmune epilepsy.
Anti-GABAA (gamma aminobutyric acid-A) receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune disease mediated by GABAA -related antibodies. GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. It is widely distributed in the brain and plays a principal role in reducing neuronal excitability throughout the CNS.
Anti-GABAB (gamma-aminobutyric acid-B) receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune disease mediated by GABAB -related antibodies and often involves the limbic system. GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. It is widely distributed in the brain and plays a principal role in reducing neuronal…
Anti-DPPX encephalitis was first identified in 2013. Patients with anti-DPPX encephalitis have autoantibodies directed against dipeptidyl-peptidase-like protein 6 (DPPX). DPPX is a subunit of voltage-gated potassium channels that are found on gut and brain neurons. These channels are one of the key…
Antibodies against glutamic-acid-decarboxylase 65 (anti-GAD65) are associated with several neurologic syndromes, including stiff person syndrome, cerebellar ataxia, and limbic encephalitis (LE). GAD65 is a crucial enzyme involved in the production of a neurotransmitter named GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid).
One such recently described encephalitis is due to antibodies directed at alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AM PAR). AMPAR are a type of glutamate receptor responsible for the transmission of the bulk of the fast, excitatory synaptic signals in the brain and are important for…
The recently described disease with antibodies against immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecule 5 (lgLON5), is characterized by a distinctive sleep disorder associated with a broad variety of neurological symptoms such as gait instability, movement disorders, and brainstem involvement. lgLON5 is an adhesion…
Glycine is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord, brain stem and cerebellum, and is vitally important in the control of movement, and also has sensory functions, including vision and audition. Glycine exerts its inhibitory effects via specific glycine receptors. Glycine receptor (GLyR) autoantibodies…
Hashimoto encephalopathy (HE) is a rare syndrome associated with Hashimoto thyroiditis. It was first described in 1966. In contrast with the cognitive dysfunction associated with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, HE is believed to be an immune-mediated disorder in which antibodies that may in some…
Seronegative AE means AE without any identifiable pathogenic antibody. Because it is a subgroup defined after the exclusion of seropositive AE in which any pathogenic antibody is detected in serum or CSF, the etiologies of seronegative AE are heterogeneous. For example, some might have a hidden…