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09 ra autoimmune encephalitis an update

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62
Journal of The Association of Physicians of India ■ Vol. 65 ■ February 2017
REVIEW ARTICLE
Autoimmune Encephalitis: An update
Satish Khadilkar1, Girish Soni2, Sarika Patil3, Abhinay Huchche4, Hinaben Faldu 5
Introduction
E
ncephalitis (brain inflammation)
is often thought to be mediated
by infections (e.g. viral). 1,2 With
the advances in molecular
diagnostics, new immunological
markers (antibodies) are being
discovered in patients presenting
with encephalitic syndromes. Thus,
research has evoked interest in the
‘immune theory’ of encephalitis.
This group of disorders is
appealing to clinicians because
of the favourable response to
immunotherapy viz a viz infectious
encephalitis where limited
pharmacotherapy is available for
most of the viral agents.
Va r i o u s s y n d r o m e s o f
autoimmune encephalitis have
been described and many more
are expected with the advent of
newer biomarkers. The clinical
syndrome comprises a complex
of encephalopathy, cognitive
disturbances, mood/personality
changes, seizures and movement
disorders. Each of these can be the
presenting manifestation, opening
up a wide differential diagnosis,
often delaying the diagnosis and
therapy. The purpose of this review
is to update recent information on
autoimmune encephalitis.
Table 1: Clues for diagnosis of
autoimmune encephalitis
• Subacute onset of memory
impairment (short-term memory loss),
encephalopthy or psychiatric symptoms
• At least 1 of the following:
Clinical Clues to the
Diagnosis of Autoimmune
Encephalitis
Important clinical clues to
suspect autoimmune encephalitis
are subacute onset, fluctuating
course, mood and behaviour
changes, cognitive dysfunction,
seizures, dyskinesiae and tremors. 3
This may be supplemented by
T2 hyperintensity on MRI (most
commonly in the mesial temporal
region), inflammation in CSF,
hypometabolism on functional
imaging and confirmation
comes with detection of specific
autoantibody. (Improvement
after immunotherapy may be
diagnostically informative).
However, obtaining autoantibodies
Fig. 1: Diagram showing cell surface antigens (NMDAR, AMPAR, LGI1, CASPR2
etc.) intracellular synapse-related (GAD, ampiphysin) and intracellular
(anti-Hu, anti-CRMP5, anti-Yo etc.) NMDA R-N methyl D Aspartate
receptor,VGKC- voltage-gated potassium channel complex
–complex, LGI1- Leucine-rich Glioma inactivated, CASPR2Contactin-associated protein-2, AMPA-R- Anti-alpha-amino3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor, Gly
R- glycine receptor, mGluR5-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5,
GAD- Glutamate acid decarboxylase
• Focal neurological deficits
• Unexplained seizures
• CSF pleocytosis (white blood cell
count >5 cells per mm3)
• MRI features suggestive of
encephalitis.
• Exclusion of alternative causes
1
Professor of Neurology, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra; 2Asso. Professor
of Neurology, 3Neurology Registrar, Grant Government Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai,
Maharashtra; 4Consultant Neurologist, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Mumbai; 5Neurology
Registrar, Grant Government Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Received: 10.09.2016; Accepted: 11.10.2016
Journal of The Association of Physicians of India ■ Vol. 65 ■ February 2017
Table 2 : Diagnostic clues: anti-NMDA
receptor encephalitis
1.
Rapidly progressive following
symptoms:
Abnormal behaviour or cognitive
dysfunction
Decreased level of consciousness
Speech dysfunction
Seizures
Movement disorder, especially oral
dyskinesias
Autonomic dysfunction or central
hypoventilation
2.
At least one of the following study
results:
Abnormal EEG (slowing, epileptiform
activity or extreme delta brush)
CSF pleocytosis or oligoclonal bands
3.
Exclusion of other disorders
4.
Accompanied by a systemic teratoma
5.
IgG anti-GluN1 antibodies (Definite)
urgently in resource poor settings
may be challenging and waiting
for response to immunotherapy
may not be prudent, as some
patients may need second line
immunosuppressive treatment.
Diagnostic clues are summarized
in Table 1.
neurologic syndromes, including
cerebellar ataxia, opsoclonus/
myoclonus, encephalomyelitis and
limbic encephalitis. Intracellular
antigens are poorly responsive to
immunotherapy.
Well Characterized
Autoimmune Encephalitis
Syndromes
Anti-NMDAR-encephalitis
Anti-NMDAR-encephalitis is
the most common autoimmune
encephalitis 5 in which IgG
antibodies against the GluN1
subunit of the NMDA receptor are
present. It can affect all age groups,
but is more common in children
and young adults females. 6
The clinical presentation can be
divided in to following stages.
1.
Prodromal phase with infection;
fever and headache
2.
Early stage with psychosis,
confusion, amnesia and
dysphasia
3.
Late stage (within 1–2 weeks)
characterised by movement
disorders (choreo-athetoid
movements, stereotypy),
autonomic instability,
encephalopathy with
hypoventilation. Some patients
become mute and catatonic.
Role and Types of
Autoantibodies
Three groups of
against intracellular,
synapse-related and
antigens have been
(Figure 1).
antibodies
intracellular
cell surface
recognized
Antibodies to neuronal surface
antigens are often directed at
conformational epitopes. Antibody
binding disrupts the synaptic
interaction and plasticity of these
epitopes and prevents the active
expression of these receptors.
Antibody heterogeneity regarding
epitope results in multiple
con cu r r e n t pa thop h ysiological
effects of the antigen-antibody
binding which may explain the
large clinical variations seen in
patients. Disruption for long
periods tends to render irreversible
damage, while only functional
damage may be reversible 4
Intracellular antigens are primarily
associated with paraneoplastic
Other clinical presentations are
1.
Au t o i m m u n e r e f r a c t o r y
epilepsy
2.
Schizophrenia like symptoms
3.
Demyelinating disorder
4.
Patient with herpes simplex
encephalitis with anti NMDA
receptor antibodies
Tu m o u r s a r e p r e s e n t i n
40-50% in women older than 18
years. Most common tumour is
ovarian teratoma 6. Other types
of malignancies (small-cell lung,
pancreatic, and breast cancer1
and Hodgkin’s lymphoma) have
occasionally been identified. Some
patients do not have an underlying
neoplastic disease7. Nevertheless, all
patients should undergo extensive
tumour screening, at presentation
63
and at yearly intervals. 5 Better
outcomes have been reported with
early resection of tumour.
MRI brain is often normal. If
abnormalities are present, they are
seen as T2, FLAIR hyperintense
lesion either in limbic cortex,
in the brainstem, basal ganglia
o r t h e c e r e b e l l u m . 6,7 M o d e r a t e
lymphocytic pleocytosis can be
seen in CSF.7 NMDA receptor
antibodies are synthesized both
systemically and intrathecally.
Upto 15% of patients do not have
serum antibodies, but do have
positive CSF antibodies. 10 EEG
shows widespread theta-delta
a c t i v i t y s u g g e s t i ve o f d i f f u s e
cerebral dysfunction. Also a
particular pattern is observed;
extreme delta brush (slow waves
with overriding fast beta activity)
in 30% of patients. 11,12 Detection
of this unique pattern should
prompt consideration of anti
NMDA receptor encephalitis. 11
Their presence also suggests a more
prolonged disease course. 11
About 50% patients treated
with first line immunotherapy
using steroids, intravenous
immunoglobulins, plasmapheresis
and tumour removal show
improvement within 3-4 weeks. 8
Patients who do not show
improvement to first line therapy
can potentially show good response
to second line immunotherapy like
rituximab, cyclophosphamide and
others. 8 Some experts recommend
comprehensive immunotherapy
that consists of giving rituximab,
IvIg or PE and methylprednisolone
up front, all at the same time to
alter the natural course of disease
and to prevent relapse. 9 Table 2
gives the approach to anti NMDR
encephalitis.
Case Vignette: 17 year female
presented with abnormal fluctuating
behaviour (paranoid ideation) and
focal seizures over 6 weeks. After
1-2 weeks, she developed abnormal
posturing of the right hand with
involuntary perioral movements,
refractory status epilepticus and
mutism. There was no history of
Routine investigations including anti TPO antibody level were within normal limits. MRI
brain and CSF studies were also normal. Her EEG showed generalised theta-delta range
slowing
with
“delta
brush”
and focal
epileptiform
discharges
as well (figure 1). CSF antiJournal
of The
Association
of Physicians
of India
■ Vol. 65 ■ February
2017
64
NMDA receptor antibody was positive.
Figure 2. EEG showing generalised theta-delta range slowing with serrated appearance
Fig. 2: EEG showing generalised theta-delta range slowing with serrated
of delta
waves (duefast
to overriding
fast beta
activity)area;
in frontal
of deltaappearance
waves (due
to overriding
beta activity)
in frontal
representing extreme
area; representing extreme delta brush
delta brush
autoimmune encephalitis.
fever, headache, myoclonic jerks,
visual
complaints,
weight
loss
LEARNING POINTS
• Delta Brush on EEG is an
Fig. 3: MRI brain was suggestive of
or any systemic complaints. At
important marker and should
T2 and FLAIR hyperintense
the time of Young
admission,
was
femaleshe
presenting
with psychiatric
symptoms
can have
be looked for
in every patient
of autoimmunesignal in bilateral mesial
in encephalopathy
with status
temporal lobe
suspected NMDA encephalitis.
encephalitis.
epilepticus, and had pyramidal
 Delta Brush on EEG is an important
marker
and
shouldyield
be looked
for in every
• Rituximab
can
increase
in
signs with right upper limb dystonic
40-50% of patients can have normal
non-responders.
patient
of
suspected
NMDA
encephalitis.
posturing and perioral dyskinetic
MRI. 15 The CSF is usually normal,
VGKCComplex
antibodies
mediated
m o v e m e n t sRituximab
. D u r i n gcan
h oincrease
s p i t a l yield in non-responders.
although mild inflammatory
encephalitis
stay, she developed autonomic
changes may be present. EEG
Diseases
associated with VGKC
B. VGKC- Complex
antibodies
encephalitis
disturbances,
respiratory
distress mediated
usually shows inter-ictal
complex antibodies include
for which she was intubated and
epileptiform activity or slowing
Diseases
associated with VGKC complex
include
epilepsy,
l i mantibodies
bic enceph
a l i t i s , limbic
e p i l e pencephalitis,
sy,
mechanically ventilated.
over anterior or mid-temporal
neuromyotonia/peripheral nerve
region. Limbic
Association with tumours
Routine investigations including
neuromyotonia/peripheral
nerve hyper excitability and Morvan’s syndrome.
hyper excitability and Morvan’s
is
very
rare. Majority of patients
a n t i T P O a n t i b o d y l e ve l we r e
syndrome. Limbic encephalitis
respond
well to immunotherapies
within normal limits. MRI brain
is the most common syndrome
such
as
steroids,
plasma exchange,
and CSF studies were also normal.
form. 13 The antibodies directed
and
IvIg.
These
patients tend to
Her EEG showed generalised thetaagainst proteins of the VGKChave
a
monophasic
disease, but
delta range slowing with “delta
15
complex include LGI1, CASPR2,
20%
patients
relapse.
brush” and focal epileptiform
and Contactin-2. 13
discharges as well (Figure 2). CSF
Case Vignette: A 59 year
Anti LGI1 associated encephalitis
anti-NMDA receptor antibody was
old Doctor was admitted with
Anti LGI1 encephalitis presents
positive.
frequent left upper limb and facial
w
i
t
h
m
e
m
o
r
y
l
o
s
s
,
c
o
n
f
u
s
i
o
n
,
j e r k y i n v o l u n t a r y m o ve m e n t s
She received a course of
temporal
lobe
seizures,
agitation,
with fluctuating encephalopathy.
intravenous methylprednisolone
an
d
oth
er
psy
chiat
ric
feat
ures
During hospital stay frequency
(MPS) followed by intravenous
evolving
over
several
days
or
weeks
of jerks increased to every 2-3
immunoglobulin’s (IvIg) but
and
predominantly
affects
elderly
m i n u t e s . H e wa s a f e b r i l e a n d
showed no signs of improvement.
males.
Some
patients
develop
brief
his routine haematological and
Later on, weekly regime of
tonic
or
myoclonic-like
seizures
2
biochemical investigations and CSF
rituximab (375mg/m ) was given.
(also
called
facio-brachial
dystonic
studies were normal. MRI brain
She improved significantly and
seizures)
that
precede
the
memory
was suggestive of T2 and FLAIR
subsequently weaned off the
13
and
cognitive
deficits.
Low
serum
hyperintense signal in bilateral
ventilator. Presently she is on low
sodium
concentrations
have
been
mesial temporal lobe (Figure 3).
dosage of steroids and course of
13
reported
in
60%
patients.
Rapid
EEG showed diffuse generalised
rituximab with regular monitoring
eye
movement
sleep
behaviour
intermittent slowing (Figure 4).
of CD 19 levels.
disorder is common in these
His anti-VGKC antibody- anti
Learning Points
patients. 14 MRI brain shows T2
LGI1 was strongly positive. He was
• Young female presenting with
and FLAIR hyper intensities in the
given valproate, clonazepam and
psychiatric symptoms can have
mesial temporal lobes, but up to
methylprednisolone [MPS] course
Journal of The Association of Physicians of India ■ Vol. 65 ■ February 2017
65
Table 3: Clues for Diagnosis of
Hashimoto’s encephalopathy
• Encephalopathy with seizures,
myoclonus, hallucinations, or strokelike episodes
Fig. 5: EMG showing myokymic
discharges
Fig. 4: EEG showing intermittent
theta-delta range slowing
without much benefit. Hence was
started on plasmapheresis and after
3 rd cycle, he showed significant
reduction in jerks and confusion.
While tapering steroids and AEDs,
his facio-brachial jerks increased
with worsening of sensorium. Since
there was recurrence of symptoms,
steroid sparing immunomodulator
was added with short course of
MPS and IvIg.
Learning Points
•
Fasciobrachial jerks
predominate and are early in
clinical presentation.
•
Some patients of LGI1 R
encephalitis may relapse
and requires second line
immunosuppression.
Anti-CASPR2 Associated Encephalitis
Patients with CASPR2 antibodies
usually develop Morvan’s
syndrome. This syndrome was
first described in 1890 by Augustin
Morvan as a syndrome associated
with autonomic dysfunction and
severe insomnia. 16 Patients with
Morvan’s syndrome present with
a subacute onset of peripheral
nerve hyperexcitability (PNH),
dysautonomia, and encephalopathy
with marked insomnia. 17
More than half of patients
complain of pain, which could
be of a neuropathic nature or
manifest as arthritis or myalgia.
Dysautonomia leads to variable
hyperhidrosis, cardiac arrhythmias,
haemodynamic disturbances,
impotence, constipation, urinary
problems, excess salivation, and
lacrimation.18-20 Rare cases of isolated
limbic encephalitis or PNH have
been reported. Patients may have
other coexisting immune mediated
disorders such as myasthenia gravis
with antiacetylcholine (AChR) or
muscle-specific kinase (MuSK)
antibodies. 21 A high proportion of
the VGKC-complex antibodies in
Morvan’s syndrome are directed
against CASPR2, but some patients
have LGI1 antibodies. 13 MRI brain
is often normal. Thymoma is
most common tumour associated
with Morvan’s syndrome. Some
patients recover spontaneously, 22
but majority of patients show good
response to immunotherapy.
Case Vignette: An 18 years old
boy was admitted with 4 weeks
history of bilateral lower limb
cramps, insomnia and flickering
m u s c l e m o ve m e n t s o ve r a l l 4
limbs even in sleep. Examination
ahowed postural drop in blood
pressure with myokymia in all 4
limbs and tremors of bilateral
hand with involuntary movements
of toes. EMG showed myokymia
(Figure 5) with normal NCS. MRI
brain, EEG and CSF study were
normal. His anti VGKC antibody
(CASPR 2) was strongly positive,
confirming the diagnosis of
Morvan’s syndrome. There was
no evidence of malignancy on PET
CT. He was given iv MPS for 5
days followed by oral steroid and
carbamazepine for myokymia. His
cramps and sleep improved within
few days with significant reduction
in myokymia.
Learning Points
•
Pa t i e n t s c a n p r e s e n t w i t h
lower motor neurone features
like cramps, neuromyotonia,
insomnia , autonomic
dysfunction without
encephalopathy.
•
Malignancy is seen in only a
proportion of patients.
• Subclinical or mild overt thyroid disease
(usually hypothyroidism)
• Brain MRI normal or with non-specific
abnormalities
• Presence of serum thyroid (thyroid
peroxidase, thyroglobulin) antibodies
• Absence of well characterised neuronal
antibodies in serum and CSF
• Exclusion of alternative causes
Hashimoto’s encephalopathy
Hashimoto’s encephalopathy is a
steroid responsive encephalopathy
characterized by fluctuating or
persisting altered sensorium and
neurologic deficits associated with
e l e va t e d b l o o d c o n c e n t r a t i o n s
o f a n t i - t h y r o i d a n t i b o d i e s . 23,24
Antibodies associated with this
condition include antithyroid
peroxidase antibodies (antithyroid
microsomal antibodies) and
antithyroglobulin antibodies. 23
Based on the consistent and
spectacular steroid response, the
condition has been renamed as
steroid-responsive encephalopathy
associated with autoimmune
thyroiditis (SREAT). 23 The clinical
presentation is of fluctuating
or progressive encephalopathy,
myoclonic jerks, seizures, stroke
like episodes. It is important to
bear in mind that the thyroidstimulating hormone levels can
be normal in this disorder. CSF
o f t e n s h o w s e l e va t e d p r o t e i n
levels without pleocytosis. 25 EEG
is usually abnormal showing
generalized slowing. Triphasic
waves, focal slowing, and
epileptiform abnormalities may
also be seen. MRI of the brain is
often normal in 50% of cases, but
can reveal subcortical white matter
hyperintensities on T2-weighted or
fluid-attenuated inversion recovery
(FLAIR) imaging and brain
atrophy. 24 Treatment includes high
dose steroids. The neurological
and psychiatric symptoms respond
early to treatment, although
EEG normalization takes some

Presence of serum thyroid (thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin) antibodies
66 Absence
well characterised
antibodies
in serum and CSF
Journal of Theof
Association
of Physicians of India ■neuronal
Vol. 65 ■ February
2017

Exclusion of alternative causes
antibody titre- > 1000 IU/ML. CSF
time. Around 2-5% of patients
Anti-gamma-aminobutyric acid
studyaltered
was normal.
EEG showed
m a yyear
n o t old
r e s pfemale
o n d t o spresented
teroids,
B receptor
(GABA-B noticed
R) encephalitis
65
with
behavior
since 1 month.
Relatives
that
intermittent generalized slowing
in whom azathioprine, IvIg or
affects men and women similarly
andrelatives,
MRI brain was
of
plasmapheresis
be used with close
a n d pmutism
r e s e n t w and
i t h t hsphincter
e typical
she
was notcanrecognizing
andsuggestive
had fluctuating
bilateral white matter T2/FLAIR
good results. 26 Table 3 lists the clues
features of limbic encephalits
27,28
hyperintense
signal (Figure
6). disoriented
and prominent
to the diagnosis. visual hallucinations.
They
incontinence,
On examination
she was
with seizures.
poor attention
She
was
treated
with
inj
MPS
1gm
frequently
have
underlying
small
Case Vignette: 65 year old female
iv for 5 days followed by oral
cell lung carcinoma. Cerebellar
presented
behavior
span.
Shewith
wasaltered
moving
all 4 limbs
and
alland
reflexes
were brisk.
Hemogram and routine
steroid
taper
levothyroxine
ataxia and opsoclonus–myoclonus
since 1 month. Relatives noticed
replacement. She responded
syndrome can co exist.27,28 The brain
that she was nottests
recognizing
close electrolytes
biochemical
including
were
normal.
Erythrocyte
was
dramatically to treatment and was
MRI sedimentation
is often abnormalrate
showing
r e l a t i ve s , a n d h a d f l u c t u a t i n g
cognitively normal within a week.
unilateral or bilateral medial
mutism and sphincter incontinence,
60mm
at
1
hr
with
normal
serum
ammonia
level.
T366.5
ng/dl [N=70-204],
T4-signal
3.77
temporal
lobe FLAIR/T2
Learning
Points
visual hallucinations. On
consistent with limbic encephalitis
examination she was disoriented
• In elderly patients with altered
microG/dl
[N=
4.83-11.72],
TSH
–
7.82.
AntiTPO
antibody
titre1000
CSF study
and>CSF
canIU/ML.
show lymphocytic
with poor attention span. She
sensorium, one should consider
pleocytosis.
was moving all 4 limbs and all
Hashimoto’s encephalopathy
was
normal.
EEG showed
intermittent
MRI brainReceptor
was suggestive
of
Encephalitis
reflexes
were brisk.
Hemogram
a f t e rgeneralized
e x c l u d i n g a lslowing
t e r n a t i veand Anti-GABA-A
and routine biochemical tests
c a u s e s , e ve n i n a b s e n c e o f
Patient present with refractory
bilateral
white matter
T2/FLAIR hyperintense
signal. She was treated
with
inj MPS
1gm Itiv
including electrolytes
were normal.
myoclonic jerks.
seizures and
status
epilepticus.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was
is preceded by rapidly progressive,
• Patients show dramatic
29
60mm
at 1 hrfollowed
with normal
for
5 days
byserum
oral steroidresponse
taper toand
levothyroxine
replacement.
She responded
severe encephalopathy.
Majority
steroids.
a m m o n i a l e ve l . T 3 - 6 6 . 5 n g / d l
of patients have extensive MRI
Anti-GABA Receptor Encephalitis
[N=70-204], T4- to
3.77treatment
microG/dl [N=
dramatically
and was
cognitively normal within a week.
abnormalities on FLAIR and T2
Anti-GABA-B Receptor Encephalitis
4.83-11.72], TSH – 7.82. Anti- TPO
imaging with multifocal corticalsubcortical involvement without
contrast enhancement. No cancer
association has been seen.
Anti-AMPA Receptor Encephalitis
Fig. 6: MRI brain showing bilateral T2 /FLAIR hyperintense signal
A n t i A M PA - R e n c e p h a l i t i s
predominantly affects middleaged women (median age 60
years) and patients present with
subacute onset symptoms of
limbic encephalitis associated
with prominent psychiatric
symptoms 30,31 Patients with antiA M PA - R - a n t i b o d y a s s o c i a t e d
limbic encephalitis have a high
Figure 6. MRI brain showing bilateral T2 /FLAIR hyperintense signal.
Table 4
Demographic profile
Antibody target
Tumour
association
Response to
immunotherapy
Other charactristics
Anti-NMDAR
encephalitis
Children and young
women
NMDAR (mainly NR1
subunit)
Ovarian (or other)
teratomas in
≤50%
Responds well to early
immunotherapies and
early
tumour removal but
nonparaneoplastic
cases can be
chronic and tend to
relapse
EEG- extreme delta
brush
AntiLGI1- encephalitis Anti CASPR2Anti GABABRassociated encephalitis encephalitis
Older men, Median age Adult males
Median age 62 years
60 years
VGKC-complexVGKC-complex
GABABR1
associated
associated
LGI1 A
CASPR2
Tumours are very rare. Thymomaprincipally, Thymoma and
small-cell lung cancer. Lung
Anti AMPAR-Ab
encephalis.
Middle aged women
Often monophasic
without need for
continuing
immunosuppression
Responds to
treatments but
relapses common
60% develop
hyponatremia
Can be treatment
Responds to
responsive
treatments
or have
spontaneous
improvement, but
prognosis confounded
by tumour when
present
EMG- Myokymia
Frequent coexisting
autoimmune diseases
GluR1/2
thymoma,
lung, breast
56
Journal of The Association of Physicians of India ■ Vol. 65 ■ February 2017
Journal of The Association of Physicians of India ■ Vol. 65 ■ February 2017
67
Autoimmune encephali�s
Predominant neuropsychiatric features
Predominant neurological feature
(Behavioural; personality change, psychosis,
confusion, confabula�on,agita�on)
Age of Onset
Young Age
Old Age
An� NMDA
An� AMPA
autonomic
dysfunc�on,
stereotyped
movements
Epilepsy,
Fasciobrachi
al dystonia
Ataxia.
An� GABA R1
Epilepsy
Hallucina�on,
epilepsy,coma
)
Anti
VGKCv LGi 1
Cognitive
decline
with
myoclonic
jerks
Neuromyotoni
a with
autonomic
dysfunc�on
and memory
loss
encephalo
myeli�s
with rigidity
and
myoclonus
Hashimoto
encephali�s
An� VGKCCASPR2
Morvan’s
Anti
Glycine R
encephalitis
syndrome
Algorithm 1: Clinical approach to autoimmune encephalitits
tendency to relapse. 31 About 70%
have an underlying tumor in the
lung, breast, or thymus. 32 AMPA-R
encephalitis patients respond well
to immunotherapy and tumor
treatment.
r e s p o n s e s a n d l i m b s p a s m s . 35
These cases are mostly unrelated
to cancer and patients often have
good responses to immunotherapy.
Table 4 summerizes the salient
features of this group of conditions.
neuropsychiatric symptoms usually
preceded by intense diarrhea. 36
This syndrome is also characterized
by trunk stiffness, hyperekplexia,
marked cerebellar ataxia in few
patients. 37
Disorders associated with GlyR
antibodies
Newer disorders
Encephalitis with Antibodies to IgLON5
Anti-glyR antibody-related
encephalitis patients presents with
progressive encephalomyelitis with
rigidity and myoclonus (PERM).33,34
They may also present with muscle
stiffness, hyperactive startle
Anti-DPPX Encephalitis
The encephalitis associated with
antibodies to dipeptidylpeptidaselike protein-6 (DPPX) was recently
described, it predominantly
affects adults (age 45–76 years).
Patient present with prominent
This is recently described
disorder with antibodies to IgLON
family member 5 has a median
age of onset of 59 years. Patients
develop abnormal REM and
non REM sleep movements, and
behaviours and obstructive sleep
68
Journal of The Association of Physicians of India ■ Vol. 65 ■ Februa
Journal of The Association of Physicians of India ■ Vol. 65 ■ February 2017
Diagnosis (refer table no 1.)
MRI brain- UL/BL Mesial temporal hyperintensi�es or
subcor�cal hyperintensity with or without enhancement.
EEG-Generalised or focal slowing and/or epilep�form
discharges.
CSF-Elevated protein, pleocytosis, abnormal oligoclonal bands.
An�body tes�ng
Acute Treatment
IV MPS (1 gm daily for 5 days)
OR
IVIg (0.4mg/kg daily for 5days)
OR
Plasma exchange(severe a�ack,
incomplete response to steroids)
No Improvement
Improvement
IV rituximab( 375mg/m2 weekly for 4
weeks.
OR
IV cyclophosphamide 1gm iv monthly
for 6 months
Maintenance treatment
Oral prednisolone taper over 4-6
months and consider
Oral azathioprine
OR
Oral mycophenolate mofe�l
OR
IV rituximab (Monitor with CD 19
level)
Algorithm
2: Management
of autoimmune
encephalitisencephalitis
Algorithm
2 : Management
of autoimmune
discussion, immune mediated
apnea. 38 Brain MRI, EEG, and CSF
with cerebellar ataxia, limbic
movements,
and behaviours
and
clinical
and management
aspects of syndromes form an
encephalitic
studies
and electromyography
is
encephalitis.
The co-occurrence
of
38
important group of modifiable
often
normal. Patients
has
limbic encephalitis
and Hodgkin
immune encephalitis.
obstructive
sleepusually
apnea.
Brain
1.
Venkatesan
neurological disorders.
These areA, Tunkel AR, Bl
aMRI,
rapidly
progressive
course
with
lymphoma is known as Ophelia
EEG,
and CSF
studies
and
the International
Encepha
being increasingly recognised
due
poor response to immunotherapy.
syndrome. 39
electromyography is often normal.
Case
definitions,
diagnos
to
availability
of
serum
makers
and
Death can occur due to autonomic
Algorithm 1 and 2 summarize the
Patients usually has a
and
priorities
in
encepha
have
been
better
characterised
in
dysfunction.
clinical and management
of t h e a b o v e
A s s e e naspects
from
r a pmGluR5
i d l y progressive course with
the recent years. Thesestatement
disorders
of the internatio
Anti
immune encephalitis.
discussion, immune m
e d i various
a t e d patterns of clinical
have
consortium.
Clin Infect Dis
poor
response
to immunotherapy.
Patients
with antibodies
to the
encephalitic
syndromespresentations
form an which correlate
with
Concluding
Remarks
28.
metabotropic
Death c a n oglutamate
c c u r d ureceptor
e to
important group of modifiable
antibodies. Clinical suspicion and
5a have
been
reported
to present
2.
Kennedy PGE. Viral encep
u t o n o m i c dysfunction.
As seen from the above
knowledge
is
neurological disorders. These
are of these syndromes
differential diagnosis, and
Anti mGluR5
being increasingly recognised due
Neurol Neurosurg Psychiat
Patients with antibodies to the
i15.
to availability of serum makers and
References
Concluding Remarks
Journal of The Association of Physicians of India ■ Vol. 65 ■ February 2017
important to the clinician as these
are amenable to immunotherapy.
13.
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