Autoimmune encephalitis (Q84119)

Autoimmune encephalitis is an immune mediated inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. Presentation is subacute with fluctuating cognitive difficulties (particularly short-term memory). A personal/family history of autoimmunity is typical and investigations may reveal mesial temporal lobe MRI abnormalities and an inflammatory spinal fluid. Accompanying neural autoantibodies (e.g. voltage gated potassium channel complex autoantibodies) and non-organ specific (thyroid peroxidase [TPO] antibodies) may be found. Exclusion of alternative etiologies (e.g. infections) is important. Response to immunotherapy may be used to confirm the diagnosis.