Research

Physicians conducting research in Barcelona are using high-resolution microscopy and biochemical methods to unlock the secrets surrounding how anti-NMDA receptor antibodies cause disruption at the cellular level, resulting in the alteration of brain function. Dalmau and colleagues have discovered that under laboratory conditions, “NMDARs form nano-objects on the neuronal surface.” Patients with AE have developed […]

We are honored to have friends at the Encephalitis Society in the UK, who provide support for the community of people who have experienced all types of encephalitis. Chief Executive, Dr. Ava Easton, has recently published an article entitled “Treating encephalitis in primary care settings” in the Independent Nurse. She provided a summary of the […]

A study just published in the Journal of Neurology, conducted at 5 hospitals (4 Germany, 1 Austria) reported admission diagnosis in AE patients is still proving a challenge. The physicians attributed this to the fact that initial symptoms vary widely, causing the correct diagnosis to be delayed or even missed. They looked back at 50 […]

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University published a retrospective study in which they examined the PET scans of patients who had been definitively diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis over a ten-year period. They compared patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis with other subgroups. They found those with anti-NMDAr AE consistently showed abnormalities in the form of hypometabolism (lower […]

A group of physicians from Germany have recently published an article in Seminars in Immunopathology, noting significant differences in the incidence of autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system in males versus females. They stated diseases such as multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica and autoimmune encephalitis are more likely to be found in females. Some examples […]

Late last year a systematic review of AE syndromes, diagnosis, and treatment was published in Frontiers in Neurology by two physicians in Austria, and reviewed by physicians in Australia and the US (Mayo Clinic). We felt it may be useful as an up-to-date reference. Once again, the importance of early recognition of AE with prompt […]

It has become apparent over the course of time in studies of autoimmune encephalitis that unfortunately some patients go on to develop epilepsy. It is a minority, but occurs in a significant percentage of patients. A new publication just out from two centers in Rome, Italy reported results from a retrospective study conducted on adult […]

Boston Children’s Hospital would like your help in improving the care of children with Autoimmune Encephalitis. Boston Children’s Hospital is conducting a research study to explore whether parents are using social media to learn about their child’s health condition, and how this may affect their child’s medical care. They are inviting you to complete a […]

Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis in Psychiatry Kayser et al. Curr Psychiatry Rev. 2011; 7(3):189-193. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3983958/ “Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies attack NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate)-type glutamate receptors at central neuronal synapses. Symptoms include a highly characteristic set of neurologic deficits, but also prominent psychiatric manifestations that often bring mental health professionals into the […]

Central nervous system neuronal surface antibody associated syndromes: review and guidelines for recognition Zuliani et al. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2012 June; 83(6): 638-645. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3348613/ The concept of antibody mediated CNS disorders is relatively recent. The classical CNS paraneoplastic neurological syndromes are thought to be T cell mediated, and the onconeural antibodies merely biomarkers for […]