scholarly journals Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis in a Patient with Previous Psychosis and Neurological Abnormalities: A Diagnostic Challenge

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. David Heekin ◽  
Maria C. Catalano ◽  
Alfred T. Frontera ◽  
Glenn Catalano
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Autoimmune Disorder ◽  
Diagnostic Challenge ◽  
Manic Symptoms ◽  
Nmda Receptor Encephalitis ◽  
Autonomic Instability ◽  
Receptor Antibodies

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by IgG autoantibodies directed against the NR1 subunit of the NMDA glutamate receptor. Psychiatric symptoms are common and include psychosis, mania, depressed mood, aggression, and speech abnormalities. Neurological symptoms such as seizures, decreased responsiveness, dyskinesias, and other movement abnormalities and/or autonomic instability are frequently seen as well. We present the case of a woman who was followed up at our facility for over 14 years for the treatment of multiple neuropsychiatric symptoms. Initially, she presented with paresthesias, memory loss, and manic symptoms. Nine years later, she presented to our facility again, this time with left sided numbness, left eyelid droop, and word finding difficulties. Finally, five years later, she presented with manic symptoms, hallucinations, and memory impairment. During her hospitalization, she subsequently developed catatonic symptoms and seizures. During her stay, it was discovered that she was positive for anti-NMDA receptor antibodies and her symptoms responded well to appropriate therapy. This case demonstrates that it may be useful for clinicians to consider screening for anti-NMDA receptor antibodies in long-term patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms that have not adequately responded to therapy.

Anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis: aethology of psychiatric symptoms in young women

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 876-876
Author(s):  
E. Marin Diaz-Guardamino ◽  
L. Larrañaga Rementeria ◽  
I. Hervella Garces ◽  
T. Aldasoro Carcedo ◽  
J. Fernandez Bilbao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Language Impairment ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Nmda Receptor Encephalitis ◽  
Women And Girls ◽  
Receptor Antibodies ◽  
Rule Out

IntroductionAnti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis is subacute disorder that has been recently described in young women and girls who often present neuropsychiatric symptoms as first clinical features; thus, it is common that they receive an initial assessment, diagnose or even treatment by a specialist in Psychiatry.ObjectivesPresenting a case of Anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis that was observed at our hospital and the steps taken from its initial assessment by Psychiatry to the final diagnose and treatment by Neurology, our objective is to describe this disorder in order to make it known to the specialists in Psychiatry.MethodsThe case is that of a 14 year old girl who presents altered behavior, bizarre delusions and auditory hallucinations with subacute onset. In psychiatric assessment it is noted that the patient presents fever, slight and language impairment: Medical and Neurological assessment are requested. The steps followed to rule out other disorders are presented. SPECT and the detection of specific anti-NMDA-receptor antibodies in serum were necessary for an accurate diagnose.ResultsThe detection of specific antibodies is necessary for the diagnose of Anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis. NMDA receptors are ligand-gated cation channels with crucial roles in synaptic transmission and plasticity. Their alteration could be a pathogenic mechanism in disorders such as epilepsy, dementia and schizophrenia.ConclusionsAnti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis is a recently described clinical entity that should be taken in consideration to rule out other causes of subacute onset psychiatric symptoms in young women and girls. Its well-defined set of clinical characteristics should become familiar to the specialists in Psychiatry.

scholarly journals Psychiatric Symptoms in a Patient with NMDA Receptor Encephalitis

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-68
Author(s):  
L Paudel ◽  
S Samadarshi ◽  
S Limbu ◽  
R Sharma ◽  
P Chalise ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Autoimmune Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Psychiatric Consultation ◽  
Course Of Illness ◽  
Nmda Receptor Encephalitis ◽  
Abnormal Movements ◽  
Aspartate Receptor ◽  
Autonomic Instability ◽  
Psychiatric Manifestations

Anti N methyl D aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) encephalitis is an autoimmune disorder that encompasses various psychiatric and neurological symptoms. Psychiatric manifestations are often the presentation of the disease that often delay or mislead the diagnosis. Complex psychiatric symptoms, seizures, autonomic instability, abnormal movements, behavioral changes and impaired cognitive functions are present during the course of illness. Prodromal psychiatric symptoms often confuse the physicians and even patient initially seeks psychiatric consultation. Here we present a case of 19 years female who presented with initial psychiatric symptoms that progressed to seizure, autonomic instability, abnormal movement and other encephalitic symptoms.

Management And Psychiatric Manifestations Of Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis, A Case Report

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S525-S526
Author(s):  
R. Gallego ◽  
A. Flores
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Multidisciplinary Treatment ◽  
Autoimmune Disorder ◽  
Clonic Seizure ◽  
Nmda Receptor Encephalitis ◽  
Abnormal Movements ◽  
Nmdar Encephalitis ◽  
Psychiatric Manifestations

IntroductionAnti-NMDA receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis, formally recognized in 2007 by Dalmau et al, is an autoimmune disorder with a complex presentation that includes psychiatric symptoms, memory deficits, and autonomic instability. The exact incidence is unknown but age, gender, and ethnicity may all play a role. Presence of antibodies against the GluN1 subunit of the NMDAR in the CSF and serum confirm the diagnosis of NMDAR encephalitis.Case reportWe report the case of a previously healthy, 19-year-old woman, 6 weeks pregnant. She had a generalized tonic-clonic seizure followed by psychiatric symptoms, including insomnia, emotional lability, delusions, and disorganized behavior. During the course of the disease, she demonstrated speech impairments and catatonic features associated with abnormal movements.She was provided lorazepam 1 mg twice a day to treat her catatonic symptoms, her insomnia and her speech improved. Olanzapine was introduced, reaching a dose of 20 mg/day for managing psychosis and agitation.DiscussionNMDA-R encephalitis is a novel disorder with prominent psychiatric manifestations that is widely underdiagnosed. Neuroleptics may be helpful for managing psychosis and agitation, but may exacerbate movement abnormalities. Benzodiazepines are helpful for agitation, insomnia and catatonia associated with this condition.ConclusionEarlier recognition of this illness is crucial as prompt diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment, can potentially improve prognosis. There is an increasing need for psychiatrists to become aware of the disorder and consider it in their differential diagnosis, specially in patients with new onset psychosis, history of encephalitis or subtle neurological symptoms. Careful selection of psychopharmacological interventions may reduce suffering.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: An emerging differential diagnosis in the psychiatric community

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 297-303
Author(s):  
Taylor A. Nichols
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Disease Awareness ◽  
Nmda Receptor Encephalitis ◽  
Health Community ◽  
Autonomic Instability ◽  
New Diagnosis

Abstract Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is a new diagnosis, as recent as 2007, that develops as a result of autoantibodies to the NMDA receptor. The clinical manifestations of the disorder include complex psychiatric symptoms, seizures, movement disorders, cognitive dysfunction, and autonomic instability. Tumor resection, if present, and immunotherapy are the mainstays of therapy. Treatment should be initiated early and aggressively as it has been associated with better patient outcomes. A significant proportion of patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis initially seek the help of a psychiatrist, highlighting the importance of its recognition within the mental health community. In an effort to promote disease awareness, this article will review a patient case and the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.

scholarly journals Atypical Association of Autoimmune Limbic Encephalitis with Anti-NMDA Receptor Antibodies in a Young Male Patient: Clinical, Imaging, and Neuropsychological Characteristics

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 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Limbic Encephalitis ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalitis ◽  
Young Male ◽  
Autoimmune Limbic Encephalitis ◽  
Receptor Antibodies

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.

scholarly journals Anti NMDA receptor encephalitis: a potentially treatable encephalitis

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 1624
Author(s):  
Archana K. M. ◽  
Sushma Save ◽  
Koppikar Rahul Gautam
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalitis ◽  
Ivig Therapy ◽  
Receptor Subunit ◽  
Nmda Receptor Subunit ◽  
Nmda Receptor Encephalitis ◽  
Autonomic Instability ◽  
High Index Of Suspicion ◽  
Age Range

Anti NMDA receptor encephalitis is autoimmune encephalitis where antibodies are directed against NMDA receptor subunit. It represents a new category of immune-mediated disorder that is often paraneoplastic, presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms, which is treatable and can be diagnosed serologically affecting both children and adults. Patient can have variable clinical presentation ranging from prodromal illness, neuropsychiatric symptoms, seizures, autonomic instability, hyperkinesias, catatonia, hypoventilation and with or without an associated teratoma. A positive serum or CSF sample screening for antibodies to the NMDA receptor subunit is confirmative. Supportive findings include CSF study, EEG and MRI Brain. The first-line therapies includes IVIG, corticosteroids or plasma exchange. Second line immunotherapy is rituximab or cyclophosphamide or both. Given the high mortality rate (up to 25%), the likelihood of presentation across the age range and the potential for treatment, a high index of suspicion is warranted by clinicians. Authors report a case of a 5 year old child with anti NMDA receptor encephalitis who responded well to IVIG therapy.

A narrative review of pharmacologic approaches to symptom management of pediatric patients diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Joshua A. Vova
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Symptom Management ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalitis ◽  
Nmda Receptor Encephalitis ◽  
Aspartate Receptor ◽  
Autonomic Instability

Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis (ANMDARE) is one of the most common autoimmune encephalitis in the pediatric population. Patients with ANMDARE initially present with a prodrome of neuropsychiatric symptoms followed by progressively worsening seizures, agitation, and movement disorders. Complications can include problems such as aggression, insomnia, catatonia, and autonomic instability. Due to the complexity of this disease process, symptom management can be complex and may lead to significant polypharmacy. The goal of this review is to educate clinicians about the challenges of managing this disorder and providing guidance in symptom management.

Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis, Vaccination and Virus

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (43) ◽  
pp. 4579-4588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiuying Wang
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Autoimmune Disorder ◽  
Neurological Symptoms ◽  
H1n1 Vaccine ◽  
Polio Vaccine ◽  
Nmda Receptor Encephalitis ◽  
Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate (Anti-NMDA) receptor encephalitis is an acute autoimmune disorder. The symptoms range from psychiatric symptoms, movement disorders, cognitive impairment, and autonomic dysfunction. Previous studies revealed that vaccination might induce this disease. A few cases were reported to be related to H1N1 vaccine, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis and polio vaccine, and Japanese encephalitis vaccine. Although vaccination is a useful strategy to prevent infectious diseases, in a low risk, it may trigger serious neurological symptoms. In addition to anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, other neurological diseases were reported to be associated with a number of vaccines. In this paper, the anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis cases related to a number of vaccines and other neurological symptoms that might be induced by these vaccines were reviewed. In addition, anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis cases that were induced by virus infection were also reviewed.

scholarly journals Molecular mimicry of NMDA receptors may contribute to neuropsychiatric symptoms in severe COVID-19 cases

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronika Vasilevska ◽  
Paul C. Guest ◽  
Hans-Gert Bernstein ◽  
Matthias L. Schroeter ◽  
Christian Geis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Molecular Mimicry ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Auditory Hallucination ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalitis ◽  
Altered Mental Status ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Nmda Receptor Encephalitis

AbstractApproximately 30% of individuals with severe SARS-CoV-2 infections also develop neurological and psychiatric complaints. In rare cases, the occurrence of autoimmune encephalitis has been reported after SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this systematic review, we have identified eight SARS-CoV-2-associated cases of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. All had cerebrospinal fluid antibodies against the NMDA receptor and a recent onset of working memory deficits, altered mental status, or psychiatric symptoms, such as confusion, agitation, auditory hallucination, catatonia and speech dysfunction. All patients received high-dose steroid and immunoglobulin therapeutics and conditions improved in each case. These findings suggest that clinical attention should be paid to warning signs of autoimmune encephalitis in severe COVID-19 cases. If characteristic features of autoimmune encephalitis are present, autoantibody diagnostics should be performed and confirmed cases should be treated with immunotherapy to minimize neurological impairments.

scholarly journals Complete cognitive recovery in a severe case of anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis treated with electroconvulsive therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. e233772
Author(s):  
Cæcilie Leding ◽  
Lisbet Marstrand ◽  
Anders Jorgensen
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Severe Case ◽  
Cognitive Outcome ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Nmda Receptor Encephalitis

Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis usually presents with prominent neuropsychiatric symptoms and many patients experience cognitive sequelae. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been suggested as a part of the treatment, particularly for catatonia, but concerns that ECT may worsen the cognitive function and long-term outcome may limit its use. We present a case of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis with severe neuropsychiatric manifestations including refractory catatonia and behavioural change. A pre-ECT neuropsychological assessment revealed dysfunction in multiple cognitive domains in spite of intensive pharmacological treatment. Twenty days after the ninth and last ECT treatment, the patient underwent the same neuropsychological tests, which showed normalised test results within all cognitive domains and no need of rehabilitation. The case demonstrates that the use of ECT in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis with severe pretreatment cognitive dysfunction can be associated with a highly favourable cognitive outcome.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document