LL Gibson et al., Cognitive impact of neuronal antibodies: encephalitis and beyond. Translational Psychiatry, 2020 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-020-00989-x

RA Blum et al., Assessment of long-term psychosocial outcomes in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, Epilepsy & Behavior, 2020 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32375094/

MJ Titulaer et al., Treatment and prognostic factors for long-term outcome in patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: an observational cohort study, The Lancet Neurology, 2013
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23290630

OTs help people to gain independence in carrying out daily tasks such as dressing, washing, cooking and leisure activities. An OT will also help the person to develop the skills that underlie these activities, such as budgeting and planning, and help to find ways around any remaining problems. At a later stage, the OT may help and advice on difficulties that may be encountered in the home environment and advise on any adaptations that may need to be made. They will also be involved in planning for returning to work.

A PT helps people to regain the use of their muscles and joints after AE and helps with balance and movement problems. A PT will, for example, suggest exercises to help the person improve their physical ability and enable them to become as mobile and independent as possible.

A SLP is a highly-trained professional who treats people who have difficulty with speech or language. Although people often think of speech and language as the same thing, the terms actually have very different meanings. If you have trouble with speech, you struggle with the “how-to” of talking—the coordination of the muscles and movements necessary to produce speech. If you have trouble with language, you struggle with understanding what you hear or see. A SLP also treats people that have difficulty swallowing.

Neuropsychologists specialize in understanding the brain and how changes to it may affect our emotions, our behavior and our ability to think (cognition). A neuropsychologist is trained to assess and treat people who experience difficulties with memory, concentration, planning, language, reasoning, and other aspects of learning and understanding. Fatigue is another factor which can affect someone’s psychology and ability to process information.

Psychiatrists play a pivotal role in the diagnosis and treatment of AE. As psychiatric symptoms often dominate the symptoms that occur at onset of the disease, patients may present initially to a psychiatrist who are tasked with identifying abnormal features of psychosis presentations, including alterations in mental status, seizures, and dysautonomia, which may prompt consideration of AE and consultation with a neurologist. Furthermore, for patients with suspected AE undergoing immunotherapy, psychiatric symptoms are frequently ongoing and may require symptomatic pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments.

An endocrinologist can diagnose and treat hormone problems and the complications that arise from them. Hormones regulate metabolism, respiration, growth, reproduction, sensory perception, and movement.

Nurse Case Managers are registered nurses who coordinate all aspects of the care of individual patients. They ensure proper utilization of services and resources as well. Case managers provide assistance within, between, and outside of facilities. Many of them work closely with social workers, obtaining services for people who need long term care or home care after hospitalization.

Naturopathic medicine is a system that uses natural remedies to help the body heal itself. It embraces many therapies, including herbs, massage, acupuncture, exercise, and nutritional counseling.

‘When faced with a major health crisis, one of the most important things you can do is to find a doctor who you trust, who will listen, and who will think ‘outside the box’. Because the cause of Auto-immune Encephalitis , in many cases, is unknown, it is vital that you choose a healthcare provider who has at their disposal a wide range of diagnostic modalities and treatment options.

Allopathic/Western medicine’s approach is to treat the illness only, primarily focusing on the symptoms and utilizing drugs and surgery. This is warranted in so many medical cases. On the other hand, holistic healthcare follows Hippocrates’ dictum, ‘first do no harm’. A holistic practitioner’s approach is to look at the human body as integrated and whole. They take into effect how the body reacts with its’ environment, and its’ response to food, pollution, stress, medicine and climate to name a few. Most importantly, a holistic doctor sees the healing force as being WITHIN the body and the physician’s role is to assist the body back to its’ state of healthy homeostasis.

I am a Chiropractor (non- force), Acupuncturist (laser and needle) and Applied Kinesiologist. I also utilize homeopathy, therapeutic nutrition and mind-body balancing. I have treated AE patients and I find that each one is unique and individual and requires different treatments because each body responds differently. Initially, I want to know if there is toxicity and what level of inflammation exists. There are four main systems in the body: structural, chemical, emotional, and nervous system. What are the stressors on these systems? Within this protocol and analysis, usually lies the cause/condition of the disease. It can be an arduous task to find the right doctor who fits your needs, but it is well worth the work. Don’t be afraid to walk away if you are not getting results.

Good luck on your journey and search. At our clinic, we help people Live Well, Stay Well and Live an Extraordinary Life. That is what you so richly deserve too’. – Dr. Joe W. Lindley

The goal of vestibular rehabilitation is to retrain the brain to better process and organize information from the inner ear, helping understand its “new normal” after a dysfunction of the system occurs. This process involves repetitive stimulation of the inner ear via movement to help the brain utilize the remaining information from the inner ear more effectively. Your brain will also utilize information from your other two sensory systems (vision and muscle/joint information) to promote overall improvements in balance and dizziness to help you return to your normal activities.

A vision therapist develops an individualized treatment program designed to correct visual-motor and/or perceptual-cognitive deficiencies. Vision Therapy sessions include procedures designed to enhance the brain’s ability to control of for instance: eye alignment, eye focusing abilities, and visual processing.