scholarly journals Clinical Features and Early Recognition of 242 Cases of Autoimmune Encephalitis

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mu Yang ◽  
Yajun Lian

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of common autoimmune encephalitis and evaluate the sensitivity of antibodies contributing to focal epilepsy signs and symptoms (ACES) score.Methods: Collecting and analyzing the data of 242 patients with autoimmune encephalitis (AE) diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2015 to December 2020 in this retrospective study. The six items of the ACES score (cognitive symptoms, behavioral changes, autonomic symptoms, speech problems, autoimmune diseases, temporal MRI hyperintensities) were screened in patients with complete clinical data.Results: (1) In total, 242 patients were included, with 147 cases of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis, 47 cases of anti-γ-aminobutyric acid type B (GABA-B) receptor encephalitis, and 48 cases of anti-leucine-rich glioma inactivating protein 1 (LGI1) encephalitis. The most common clinical symptoms are cognitive impairment (77%), behavioral changes (79%), and seizures (71%). In total, 129 cases (54%) combined with autonomic dysfunction, such as gastrointestinal dysmotility, sinus tachycardia, and central hypoventilation. Twelve patients had autoimmune diseases, most of which were of thyroid diseases. (2) One hundred and twenty-seven patients with complete clinical data evaluated ACES score, 126 cases of whom (126/127, 99.2%) were equal to or >2 points, 1 case (1/127, 0.8%) was of <2 points.Interpretation: (1) Cognitive impairment, abnormal behavior, and seizures are the most common manifestations of AE and autonomic symptoms. Thyroid disease is the most autoimmune disease in AE. Clinically, for patients of suspected AE, increasing the knowledge and testing of thyroid function and rheumatism is necessary. (2) ACES score is a simple, effective, and easy-to-operate score, with a certain screening value for most patients suspected of AE.

2020 ◽  
pp. jnnp-2020-325011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronan N McGinty ◽  
Adam Handel ◽  
Teresa Moloney ◽  
Archana Ramesh ◽  
Andrew Fower ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo generate a score which clinically identifies surface-directed autoantibodies in adults with new-onset focal epilepsy, and evaluate the value of immunotherapy in this clinical setting.MethodsProspective clinical and autoantibody evaluations in a cohort of 219 consecutive patients with new-onset focal epilepsy.Results10.5% (23/219) of people with new-onset focal epilepsy had detectable serum autoantibodies to known or novel cell surface antigenic targets. 9/23 with autoantibodies were diagnosed with encephalitis, by contrast to 0/196 without autoantibodies (p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis identified six features which predicted autoantibody positivity (area under the curve=0.83): age ≥54 years, ictal piloerection, lowered self-reported mood, reduced attention, MRI limbic system changes and the absence of conventional epilepsy risk factors. 11/14 (79%) patients with detectable autoantibodies, but without encephalitis, showed excellent long-term outcomes (modified Rankin Score=0) despite no immunotherapy. These outcomes were superior to those of immunotherapy-treated patients with confirmed autoantibody-mediated encephalitis (p<0.05).ConclusionsSeizure semiology, cognitive and mood phenotypes, alongside inflammatory investigation findings, aid the identification of surface autoantibodies among unselected people with new-onset focal epilepsy. The excellent immunotherapy-independent outcomes of autoantibody-positive patients without encephalitis suggests immunotherapy administration should be guided by clinical features of encephalitis, rather than autoantibody positivity. Our findings suggest that, in this cohort, immunotherapy-responsive seizure syndromes with autoantibodies largely fall under the umbrella of autoimmune encephalitis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 20.2-20
Author(s):  
A. M. Patiño-Trives ◽  
C. Perez-Sanchez ◽  
A. Ibañez-Costa ◽  
P. S. Laura ◽  
M. Luque-Tévar ◽  
...  

Background:To date, although multiple molecular approaches have illustrated the various aspects of Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome plus lupus (APS plus SLE), no study has so far fully characterized the potential role of posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms such as the alternative splicing.Objectives:To identify shared and differential changes in the splicing machinery of immune cells from APS, SLE and APS plus SLE patients, and their involvement in the activity and clinical profile of these autoimmune disorders.Methods:Monocytes, lymphocytes and neutrophils from 80 patients (22 APS, 35 SLE and 23 APS plus SLE) and 50 healthy donors (HD) were purified by immunomagnetic selection. Then, selected elements of the splicing machinery were evaluated using a microfluidic qPCR array (Fluidigm). In parallel, extensive clinical/serological evaluation was performed, comprising disease activity, thrombosis and renal involvement, along with autoantibodies, acute phase reactants, complement and inflammatory molecules. Molecular clustering analyses and correlation/association studies were developed.Results:Patients with primary APS, SLE and APS plus SLE displayed significant and specific alterations in the splicing machinery components in comparison with HD, that were further specific for each leukocyte subset. Besides, these alterations were associated with distinctive clinical features.Hence, in APS, clustering analysis allowed to identify two sets of patients representing different molecular profile groups with respect to the expression levels of splicing machinery components. Principal component analyses confirmed a clear separation between patients. Clinically, cluster 1 characterized patients with higher thrombotic episodes and recurrences than cluster 2 and displayed a higher adjusted global APS score (aGAPSS). Accordingly, these patients showed higher levels of inflammatory mediators than cluster 2.Similarly, in patients with APS plus SLE, clustering analysis allowed to identify two sets of patients showing differential expression of splicing machinery components. Clinical and laboratory profiles showed that cluster 2 characterized patients that had suffered more thrombotic recurrences, most of them displaying an aGAPSS over 12 points and expressing higher levels of inflammatory mediators than cluster 1. The incidence of lupus nephropathy was similarly represented in both clusters.Lastly, in SLE patients, molecular clustering analysis identified two sets of patients showing distinctive clinical features. One cluster characterized most of the patients positive for anti-dsDNA antibodies, further suffering lupus nephropathy, and a high proportion of them also presenting atheroma plaques and high levels of inflammatory mediators.Correlation studies further demonstrated that several deranged splicing machinery components in immune cells (i.e. SF3B1tv1, PTBP1, PRP8 and RBM17) were linked to the autoimmune profile of the three autoimmune diseases, albeit in a specific way on each disorder. Accordingly, in vitro treatment of HD lymphocytes with aPL-IgG or anti-dsDNA-IgG changed the expression of spliceosome components also found altered in vivo in the three autoimmune diseases. Finally, the induced over/downregulated expression of selected spliceosome components in leukocytes modulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines, changed the procoagulant/adhesion activities of monocytes and regulated NETosis in neutrophils.Conclusion:1) The splicing machinery, profoundly altered in leukocytes from APS, APS plus SLE and SLE patients, is closely related to the activity of these diseases, their autoimmune and inflammatory profiles. 2) The analysis of the splicing machinery allows the segregation of APS, APS plus SLE and SLE, with specific components explaining the CV risk and renal involvement in these highly related autoimmune disorders.Acknowledgements:Funded by ISCIII, PI18/00837 and RIER RD16/0012/0015 co-funded with FEDERDisclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Ejerskov ◽  
M. Raundahl ◽  
P. A. Gregersen ◽  
M. M. Handrup

Abstract Background The mosaic form of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is called mosaic NF1 (MNF1). No specific MNF1 follow-up guidelines exist. It is debatable if patients with MNF1 should be clinically examined and undergo follow-up in accordance with the standard NF1 guidelines, as MNF1 patients more often may develop more benign phenotypes and thereby less disease-associated complications including cognitive impairment. We discussed the need for a specific MNF1 follow-up guideline with focus on frequency of plexiform neurofibromas and NF1-associated complications. Method A systematic retrospective data collection in a MNF1 cohort from one of two Danish national centers of NF1 Expertise was completed. Data collected included demographics, clinical features including NF1 diagnostic criteria and NF1-associated complications. Recent literature in the field was reviewed. Results We identified 17 patients with MNF1 with a median age of 37 years [4; 66]. Eleven (65%) were females. Five patients (30%) had a plexiform neurofibroma. The median age at detection of plexiform neurofibroma was 30 years [14; 60]. Nine (53%) had at least one NF1-related complication; scoliosis, hypertension, ADHD, learning disability, language delay, autism and delay in gross and fine motor function development. We reviewed nine articles. In total, 126 cases were described within three case-series. Nineteen (15%) had a plexiform neurofibroma and in total, 23 NF1-associated complications were reported including language delay, learning disability and skeletal abnormalities. Furthermore, from the literature it was evident that the diagnosing of MNF1 varies among physicians and across countries. Conclusion Patients with MNF1 present with plexiform neurofibromas and other NF1-related complications with a frequency requiring that follow-up of MNF1 patients should be in accordance with the standard NF1 guideline in both childhood and adulthood. Physicians should be aware of cognitive impairment as a complication to MNF1. To develop a specific MNF1 follow-up guideline, there is a need for an international consensus on the diagnostic criteria for MNF1 and a follow-up study conducted in a larger MNF1 cohort.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 722-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nozomi Hishikawa ◽  
Yusuke Fukui ◽  
Kota Sato ◽  
Toru Yamashita ◽  
Yasuyuki Ohta ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 14-22
Author(s):  
A. N. Barinov ◽  
L. S. Moshkhoeva ◽  
E. V. Parkhomenko ◽  
E. V. Emikh ◽  
I. P. Yastrebtseva

The current outbreak of coronavirus SARS-CoV‑2 (COVID-19) has raised great concern worldwide, but its impact on nervous system still needs more investigation. Thirty per cent of symptomatic patients with COVID‑19 will have symptoms that last longer than the typical two weeks, 10 % have symptoms longer than 3 months and this is called ‘long-COVID’. These symptoms affect not only people with severe disease, but also those with milder cases. Many long-haulers experience the same symptoms they had during their initial fight with COVID‑19, such as fatigue, cognitive impairment (or brain fog), difficulty breathing, headache, depression, insomnia and loss of the sense of taste and\or smell. Treatment of those complications with citicoline, ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate and vitamin B improves these symptoms in patients but most of them also need cognitive therapy for dehypochondrisation.


1995 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 266-272
Author(s):  
Joseph D. Spahn ◽  
Alan K. Kamada

GCs are used commonly for the treatment of various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Although potent and generally effective, they are not without risks for producing serious adverse effects, especially when used in high doses for prolonged periods of time. Thus, the clinician must balance the therapeutic effects of GCs with their risks for adverse effects; using the lowest possible effective GC doses as well as maximizing other therapeutic modalities are means by which this goal can be achieved. Early recognition and appropriate management are other methods to minimize GC-induced adverse effects. Maximization of therapy, early recognition, and appropriate management of adverse effects can minimize the potential severe complications of GC therapy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (16) ◽  
pp. 2709-2716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald J. Gurrera

AbstractBackgroundAnti-NMDA receptor (NMDAr) encephalitis is the most common autoimmune encephalitis in adults. It mimics psychiatric disorders so often that most patients are initially referred to a psychiatrist, and many are misdiagnosed. Without prompt and effective treatment, patients are likely to suffer a protracted course with significant residual disability, or death. This study focuses on the frequency and chronology of salient clinical features in adults with anti-NMDAr encephalitis who are likely to be first evaluated by a psychiatrist because their presentation suggests a primary psychiatric disorder.MethodsA systematic search of PubMed and EMBASE databases identified published reports of anti-NMDAr encephalitis associated with prominent behavioral or psychiatric symptoms. After eliminating redundancies, the frequencies and relative timing of clinical features were tabulated. Signs and symptoms were assigned temporal ranks based on the timing of their first appearance relative to the first appearance of other signs and symptoms in each patient; median ranks were used to compare temporal sequencing of both individual features and major symptom domains.ResultsTwo hundred thirty unique cases (185 female) met study inclusion criteria. The most common features were seizures (60.4%), disorientation/confusion (42.6%), orofacial dyskinesias (39.1%), and mutism/staring (37.4%). Seizures, fever, and cognitive dysfunction were often the earliest features to emerge, but psychiatric features predominated and sequencing varied greatly between individuals.ConclusionsClinicians should consider anti-NMDAr encephalitis when new psychiatric symptoms are accompanied by a recent viral prodrome, seizures or unexplained fever, or when the quality of the psychiatric symptoms is unusual (e.g. non-verbal auditory hallucinations).


2018 ◽  
Vol 94 (1117) ◽  
pp. 647-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georges Assaf ◽  
Maria Tanielian

Dementia is projected to become a global health priority but often not diagnosed in its earlier preclinical stage which is mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is generally referred as a transition state between normal cognition and Alzheimer’s disease. Primary care physicians play an important role in its early diagnosis and identification of patients most likely to progress to Alzheimer’s disease while offering evidenced-based interventions that may reverse or halt the progression to further cognitive impairment. The aim of this review is to introduce the concept of MCI in primary care through a case-based clinical review. We discuss the case of a patient with MCI and provide an evidence-based framework for assessment, early recognition and management of MCI while addressing associated risk factors, neuropsychiatric symptoms and prognosis.


2001 ◽  
Vol 218 (11) ◽  
pp. 1792-1795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa J. Bain ◽  
Benjamin L. Hart ◽  
Kelly D. Cliff ◽  
William W. Ruehl

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arzu Çoban ◽  
Cem İsmail Küçükali ◽  
Başar Bilgiç ◽  
Nazlı Yalçınkaya ◽  
Hazal Haytural ◽  
...  

Background. Anti-neuronal autoimmunity may cause cognitive impairment that meets the criteria for dementia.Objective. Our aim was to detect the incidence and clinical features of autoimmune encephalitis imitating clinical findings of primary dementia disorders and to delineate the validity of anti-neuronal antibody screening in dementia patients.Methods. Fifty consecutive patients fulfilling the clinical criteria for primary dementia, 130 control patients, and 50 healthy controls were included. Their sera were investigated for several ion channel and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies by a cell-based assay, radioimmunoassay, and ELISA, as required.Results. Sixteen patients satisfying dementia criteria had atypical findings or findings suggestive of autoimmune encephalitis. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibody was detected in a patient with dementia, Parkinsonism, and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) fulfilling the criteria for dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). One control patient with bipolar disease displayed low anti-GAD antibody levels.Conclusions. Our study showed for the first time the presence of parkinsonism and RBD in an anti-NMDAR encephalitis patient mimicking DLB. Although autoimmune encephalitis patients may occasionally present with cognitive decline, most dementia patients do not exhibit anti-neuronal antibodies, suggesting that routine analysis of these antibodies in dementia is not mandatory, even though they display atypical features.


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