Anti-NMDAR

New treatment for anti-NMDAR autoimmune encephalitis reports Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin February 2, 2017

One of the one of the largest university hospitals in Europe, Charite’, recorded significant progress in treating anti-NMDAR, including in patients who did not previously respond to treatment. Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system. It is a rare autoimmune disease that results in the body producing antibodies against […]

World Encephalitis Day 2/22 February 20, 2017

World Encephalitis Day (“WED”) is celebrated every February 22 – just remember 222.  While we at the Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance focus on autoimmune encephalitis, we are so happy to join in supporting all of those affecting by any form of encephalitis. To show your support for those with encephalitis of all types, wear the color red […]

Join 1600 others for Florence Forth Race and Family Lunch on March 4, 2017 February 23, 2017

You don’t have to be a runner or walker to support those affected by autoimmune encephalitis on March 4, 2017, but if you are, come share your spirit, laughter, and competitive spirit with 1600 soon-to-be friends at Florence Forth. There is also a wonderful Family Lunch for patients and their immediate families at noon (doors […]

Lancet Neurology publishes paper on brain imaging and diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis March 9, 2017

It is often difficult to clinically diagnosis autoimmune encephalitis because patients’ symptoms can be so widely varied. In the Sept. 2016, issue of The Lancet Neurology, Francesc Graus and colleagues proposed an initial diagnostic work-up relying on conventional neurological evaluation and standard diagnostic tests such as MRI, CSF sampling, and EEG. This approach would enable clinicians to make […]

Recovering anti-NMDAR patient shares advice via voice memo March 15, 2017

Shawn Kregan contacted the Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance in August of 2016, and we have been connecting regularly ever since. He has put together a voice memo to aid and inspire those who struggle with AE.  Shawn wants everyone to know that sharing experiences gives others confidence and strength, so don’t be afraid to tell people […]

Whittington family continues sharing autoimmune encephalitis story 6 years on March 23, 2017

Ellen Whittington was 12 years-old when she was first diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis in 2012. At that time, she couldn’t talk or feed herself. Now, 17 year-old Ellen is a high school student and doing much better. Her family was interviewed by local NBC affiliate WRAL, as an update to their original story. Ellen and her family were […]

March 22, is “Brain Injury Awareness Day” March 22, 2017

March 22, of each year is Brain Injury Awareness Day. This year’s theme is “Not Alone.” While autoimmune encephalitis is not what most people consider a “brain injury,” the damage done by the disease can be similar. “I have been told by several world-class physicians who focus on AE, that recovery, and in particular the […]

Bortezomib Treatment for Anti-NMDAR Autoimmune Encephalitis March 28, 2017

The Journal of the American Medical Association Nuerology reports the following by authors Volker Behrendt, MD1; Christos Krogias, MD1; Anke Reinacher-Schick, MD2; Ralf Gold, MD1; and Ingo Kleiter, MD1: Anti-NMDAR  autoimmune encephalitis, associated with ovarian teratoma, predominantly affects young females.1 Because antibodies against subunits of the NMDAR contribute to the pathogenesis, methods targeting humoral immunity are therapeutically efficacious.2 However, some patients have an unsatisfactory outcome after high-dose corticosteroids, apheresis […]

HESA helps promote encephalitis research with funding pledge to AE Alliance April 6, 2017

Two U.S. non-profits join forces to combat autoimmune encephalitis. “The AE Alliance is proud of the long-standing relationship with the Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy SREAT Alliance. We are grateful beyond words for HESA’s generosity. This collaboration allows both groups to look anew at imaginative ways to raise awareness on all autoimmune encephalitis fronts, fight this disease, and […]

Listing of known autoimmune encephalitis antibodies published by Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania November 9, 2016

We get a lot of questions about known AE antibodies.  Identification of antibodies on a cellular level has led to a reclassification and renaming of many diseases. Note that many people who have AE are antibody negative, which most in the medical community agree is because all antibodies simply have not yet been discovered. The Center for Autoimmune Neurology […]