scholarly journals P.050 Autoimmune encephalitis associated with GAD65 antibodies: brief review of the relevant literature

Author(s):  
M Gagnon ◽  
M Savard

Background: Recently, many cases of autoimmune encephalitis with positive GAD65 (Glutamic acid decarboxylase) antibodies have been described in the literature. However, it remains an understudied topic. Methods: We conducted a search on reported cases of anti-GAD65 encephalitis. Specific variables were identified as general characteristics, clinical manifestations, MRI and EEG findings, concomitant systemic autoimmune disorders and cancer, and outcome and autoantibodies findings. Results: We identified a total of 58 cases, from one to 70 years old. It most frequently presented with seizures (97%) and memory impairment (59%). It commonly occurred in association with systemic autoimmune disease, particularly diabetes (28%). Brain MRI was usually abnormal (78%); involvement of temporal lobes was more frequent than multifocal abnormalities (59% vs 16%). GAD65 antibodies were reported positive in CSF and/or serum (31% in serum only). Other antibodies such as GABABR, GABAAR and VGKC were concurrently reported positive in some cases (19%). However, we found that the vast majority of cases were not tested for all those cell-surface antibodies. Overall, no distinctive pattern of clinical and paraclinical findings was found. Persistent impairments were common. Optimal treatment remained undefined. Conclusions: Prospective studies recruiting patients with autoimmune encephalitis are needed to better elucidate the contributions of GAD65 autoantibodies, and to evaluate treatment and outcomes in this population.

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (16) ◽  
pp. 3303-3313 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Schou ◽  
S. G. Sæther ◽  
K. Borowski ◽  
B. Teegen ◽  
D. Kondziella ◽  
...  

BackgroundAutoimmune encephalitis associated with anti-neuronal antibodies may be challenging to distinguish from primary psychiatric disorders. The significance of anti-neuronal antibodies in psychiatric patients without clear evidence of autoimmune encephalitis is unknown. We investigated the serum prevalence of six anti-neuronal autoantibodies in a cohort of unselected patients admitted to acute psychiatric care.MethodSerum was drawn from 925 patients admitted to acute psychiatric in-patient care. Psychiatric diagnoses were set according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 criteria. Antibody analysis was performed with an indirect immunofluorescence test for N-methyl d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies and five other anti-neuronal autoantibodies of the immunoglobulin (Ig) classes IgA, IgG and IgM isotype.ResultsAnti-neuronal autoantibodies were found in 11.6% of patients: NMDAR antibodies in 7.6%, contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) antibodies in 2.5%, glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 (GAD65) antibodies in 1.9%, and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor antibodies in 0.1%. Leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein-1 (LGI1) and γ-aminobutyric acid B (GABAB) receptor antibodies were not detected. NMDAR antibodies of class IgG were present in five patients only (0.5%). NMDAR antibodies of all Ig classes were equally prevalent in patients with and without psychosis. There were no significant differences in antibody prevalence in the different diagnostic categories, except for a higher odds ratio of being NMDAR antibody positive for patients without a specific psychiatric diagnosis.ConclusionsNMDAR IgG autoantibodies, which are known to be strongly associated with anti-NMDAR encephalitis, were rarely found. CASPR2 and GAD65 antibodies were more frequently encountered in the present study than previously reported. Further research on the clinical significance of anti-neuronal autoantibodies in patients with acute psychiatric symptoms is needed.


BMC Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Jiang ◽  
Jianpeng Ma ◽  
Tao Gong ◽  
Hongjun Hao ◽  
Haibo Chen

Abstract Background Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is a severe and most common autoimmune encephalitis in patients under 40 years old. Anti-NMDAR encephalitis has various clinical and neuroimaging findings. Here we report a special case of an anti-NMDAR encephalitis who had diffuse lesions in bilateral hemispheres with mild mass effects in left basal ganglia area. Case presentations A 28-year-old female anti-NMDAR encephalitis patient mainly presented with headache and fever. Brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) showed slightly contrasted diffuse lesions, involving the left temporal and frontal lobes, left basal ganglia area and splenium of corpus callosum, as well as the right frontal lobe, with mild edema surrounded in the left basal ganglia area. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed a moderate pleocytosis with normal protein and glucose levels. Anti-NMDAR antibodies were identified in CSF. Transvaginal ovarian ultrasound did not reveal an ovarian teratoma. The patient was treated with immunoglobulin and steroid, and had a good recovery. Conclusions Anti-NMDAR encephalitis has no special clinical manifestations and brain MRI is highly variable, which could be unremarkable or abnormal involving white and grey matters. The extensive lesions in frontal and temporal lobes, and basal ganglia area, with mild mass effects, have not been described previously. Recognition of various changes in brain MRI will enable the early detection of anti-NMDAR antibody and then effective treatments.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Jiang ◽  
Jianpeng Ma ◽  
Tao Gong ◽  
Hongjun Hao ◽  
Haibo Chen

Abstract Background Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is a severe and most common autoimmune encephalitis in patients under 40 years old. The anti-NMDAR encephalitis has various clinical and neuroimaging findings. Here we report a special anti-NMDAR encephalitis patient who had diffuse lesions in bilateral hemispheres with mild mass effects in left basal ganglia area. Case presentations A 28-year-old female anti-NMDAR encephalitis patient mainly presented with headache and fever. Brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) showed slightly contrasted diffuse lesions, involving the left temporal and frontal lobes, left basal ganglia area and splenium of corpus callosum, and the right frontal lobe, with mild edema surrounded in the left basal ganglia area. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed a moderate pleocytosis with normal protein and glucose levels. Anti-NMDAR antibodies were identified in CSF. Transvaginal ovarian ultrasound did not reveal an ovarian teratoma. The patient was treated with immunoglobulin and steroid, and had a good recovery. Conclusions The anti-NMDAR encephalitis has no special clinical manifestations and brain MRI is highly variable, which could be unremarkable or abnormal involving white and grey matters. The extensive lesions in frontal and temporal lobes, and basal ganglia area, with mild mass effects, have not been described previously. The recognition of various changes in brain MRI will enable the early detection of anti-NMDAR antibody and then effective treatments.


Neurology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (14) ◽  
pp. 1471-1475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Domingo Escudero ◽  
Mar Guasp ◽  
Helena Ariño ◽  
Carles Gaig ◽  
Eugenia Martínez-Hernández ◽  
...  

Objective:To report the CNS syndromes of patients ≥60 years of age with antibodies against neuronal surface antigens but no evidence of brain MRI and CSF inflammatory changes.Methods:This was a retrospective clinical analysis of patients with antibodies against neuronal surface antigens who fulfilled 3 criteria: age ≥60 years, no inflammatory abnormalities in brain MRI, and no CSF pleocytosis. Antibodies were determined with reported techniques.Results:Among 155 patients ≥60 years of age with neurologic syndromes related to antibodies against neuronal surface antigens, 35 (22.6%) fulfilled the indicated criteria. The median age of these 35 patients was 68 years (range 60–88 years). Clinical manifestations included faciobrachial dystonic seizures (FBDS) in 11 of 35 (31.4%) patients, all with LGI1 antibodies; a combination of gait instability, brainstem dysfunction, and sleep disorder associated with IgLON5 antibodies in 10 (28.6%); acute confusion, memory loss, and behavioral changes suggesting autoimmune encephalitis (AE) in 9 (25.7%; 2 patients with AMPAR, 2 with NMDAR, 2 with GABAbR, 2 with LGI1, and 1 with CASPR2 antibodies); and rapidly progressive cognitive deterioration in 5 (14.3%; 3 patients with IgLON5 antibodies, 1 with chorea; 1 with DPPX antibody–associated cerebellar ataxia and arm rigidity; and 1 with CASPR2 antibodies).Conclusions:In patients ≥60 years of age, the correct identification of characteristic CNS syndromes (FBDS, anti-IgLON5 syndrome, AE) should prompt antibody testing even without evidence of inflammation in MRI and CSF studies. Up to 15% of the patients developed rapidly progressive cognitive deterioration, which further complicated the differential diagnosis with a neurodegenerative disorder.


2021 ◽  
pp. jnnp-2020-325275
Author(s):  
Adrian Budhram ◽  
Elia Sechi ◽  
Eoin P Flanagan ◽  
Divyanshu Dubey ◽  
Anastasia Zekeridou ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo determine clinical manifestations, immunotherapy responsiveness and outcomes of glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 (GAD65) neurological autoimmunity.MethodsWe identified 323 Mayo Clinic patients with high-titre (>20 nmol/L in serum) GAD65 antibodies out of 380 514 submitted anti-GAD65 samples (2003–2018). Patients classified as having GAD65 neurological autoimmunity after chart review were analysed to determine disease manifestations, immunotherapy responsiveness and predictors of poor outcome (modified Rankin score >2).ResultsOn review, 108 patients were classified as not having GAD65 neurological autoimmunity and 3 patients had no more likely alternative diagnoses but atypical presentations (hyperkinetic movement disorders). Of remaining 212 patients with GAD65 neurological autoimmunity, median age at symptom onset was 46 years (range: 5–83 years); 163/212 (77%) were female. Stiff-person spectrum disorders (SPSD) (N=71), cerebellar ataxia (N=55), epilepsy (N=35) and limbic encephalitis (N=7) could occur either in isolation or as part of an overlap syndrome (N=44), and were designated core manifestations. Cognitive impairment (N=38), myelopathy (N=23) and brainstem dysfunction (N=22) were only reported as co-occurring phenomena, and were designated secondary manifestations. Sustained response to immunotherapy ranged from 5/20 (25%) in epilepsy to 32/44 (73%) in SPSD (p=0.002). Complete immunotherapy response occurred in 2/142 (1%). Cerebellar ataxia and serum GAD65 antibody titre >500 nmol/L predicted poor outcome.InterpretationHigh-titre GAD65 antibodies were suggestive of, but not pathognomonic for GAD65 neurological autoimmunity, which has discrete core and secondary manifestations. SPSD was most likely to respond to immunotherapy, while epilepsy was least immunotherapy responsive. Complete immunotherapy response was rare. Serum GAD65 antibody titre >500 nmol/L and cerebellar ataxia predicted poor outcome.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Xuemei Fan ◽  
Xinxin Li ◽  
Shuai Wang ◽  
Yafei Zhu ◽  
Songyan Liu ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> This study aimed to explore the diversity and clinical features of acute symptomatic seizures due to autoimmune encephalitis related to anti-glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) 65 antibodies. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Clinical data of a series of 6 patients positive for anti-GAD65 antibodies were retrospectively analyzed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Five of the patients were male and 1 was a female, with a median age of 44.1 years (range 18–70 years). Seizure forms were varied in 6 patients when they were admitted to the hospital: 3 cases of seizures only and 3 accompanied by other symptoms, such as mental disorder, cognitive impairment, cerebellar ataxia, and ocular movement disorder. Three patients (50%) had coexisting systemic autoimmune diseases, including diabetes mellitus, vitiligo, and hyperthyroidism. Five patients (83%) had abnormal brain MRI findings. They were all treated by immunotherapy, 5 of 6 patients improved significantly but relapsed after withdrawing methylprednisolone, and 1 patient got deteriorated. None of them were diagnosed with tumors. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Clinical features of acute symptomatic seizures related to GAD65 antibodies are diverse, and early and continuous immunotherapy is necessary for patients.


2021 ◽  
pp. 541-548
Author(s):  
José Alberto Choreño-Parra ◽  
Tania de la Rosa-Arredondo ◽  
André Garibay-Gracián ◽  
Ingrid Montes de Oca-Vargas ◽  
Deyanira Capi-Casillas ◽  
...  

The spectrum of autoimmune encephalitis (AE) encompasses several entities characterized by a variable frequency of psychiatric symptoms, cognitive dysfunction, focal deficits, and seizures. Although patients with AE can be categorized in specific syndromes, overlapping manifestations are also common. Furthermore, atypical correlations between clinical phenotypes and autoantibody profiles could occur in rare cases. Here, we report the rare case of a young adult man attending due to new-onset seizures and a history of memory loss, autonomic disturbances, headache, behavioral changes, and visual and olfactory hallucinations. The patient was subjected to a complete diagnostic approach that included a comprehensive laboratory workup, neuropsychological testing, electroencephalogram, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, brain MRI, and positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan that revealed a functional and structural compromise of the bilateral medial temporal lobes. Together with the clinical manifestations of the patient, these findings were compatible with the diagnosis of autoimmune limbic encephalitis (ALE). Strikingly, further analysis of the CSF showed autoantibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. We found very few cases of the co-occurrence of anti-NMDA receptor antibodies and nonparaneoplastic ALE in the literature, especially in male patients. Our report exemplifies the complicated differential diagnosis of ALE and adds clinical information of the association with anti-NMDA receptor antibodies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. e237913
Author(s):  
Kristina Kern ◽  
Brooke A Shuster

A 16-year-old female patient presented with subacute onset of headaches, changes in acute mental status, expressive aphasia and auditory hallucinations. New oedema and enhancement of the temporal lobe were seen on brain MRI, with correlating subclinical seizures seen on electroencephalogram. Simultaneously, our patient was diagnosed with new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus, with positive anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (anti-GAD-65) antibodies in the serum. Cerebrospinal fluid studies remained negative, including anti-GAD-65 antibodies. Clinical remission was achieved with corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulins.


Author(s):  
Maude-Marie Gagnon ◽  
Martin Savard

AbstractRecently, many cases of autoimmune limbic encephalitis with positive GAD65 (glutamic acid decarboxylase) antibodies have been described in the scientific literature. However, it remains an understudied topic of great relevance to practicing neurologists. Thus, we report here a review of published cases, in English, of autoimmune limbic encephalitis with this type of antibodies, focusing on presenting symptoms and signs, associated conditions, and findings upon investigation. We also report treatment responses. We aim to offer a better description of the clinical spectrum of autoimmune limbic encephalitis associated with GAD65 antibodies as well as to expose its paraclinical features and outcome.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changhong Ren ◽  
Haitao Ren ◽  
Xiaotun Ren ◽  
Weihua Zhang ◽  
Jiuwei Li ◽  
...  

Background: Antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) are associated with various neurologic conditions described in patients, including stiff person syndrome, cerebellar ataxia, refractory epilepsy, and limbic and extralimbic encephalitis. There have been some case reports and investigations regarding anti-GAD65 antibody-associated encephalitis in adult populations, but pediatric cases are rare. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of three anti-GAD65 antibody-positive patients to explore the diversity and clinical features of anti-GAD65 antibody-associated pediatric autoimmune encephalitis.Methods: The clinical data of a series of three patients positive for anti-GAD65 antibody were retrospectively analyzed. GAD65 antibodies were determined in serum and CSF using a cell-based assay.Results: All three patients were female, and the onset ages were 4 years and 9 months, 6 years, and 16 years old. Their clinical phenotypes included autoimmune limbic encephalitis, extralimbic encephalitis, and encephalitis combining limbic and extralimbic encephalitis. The clinical symptoms included seizures, memory deficits, drowsiness, dysautonomia, and headache. All patients had abnormal carinal MRI and EEG. All patients received immunotherapy and had transiently good responsiveness, but one patient then experienced relapse. In follow-up, one patient with extralimbic encephalitis recovered completely, while two patients with limbic involvement had poor outcomes with refractory focal epilepsy.Conclusion: In addition to limbic encephalitis, extralimbic encephalitis is also an important phenotype in patients who are positive for anti-GAD65 antibodies. Early diagnosis and immunotherapy can improve the symptoms. However, patients with limbic encephalitis often have refractory epilepsy in the chronic phase and have a poor long-term outcome.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document