Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis

Anti-NMDA (N-methyl D-aspartate) receptor encephalitis is an acute form of encephalitis, potentially lethal but with high probability for recovery, caused by autoimmune reaction against NR1- and NR2-subunits of the glutamate NMDA receptor.^[1] Different descriptions and syndromal designations for this disease existed in the medical literature prior to 2007, when the cause was established and it received its current name.^[2] The disease is associated with tumours, mostly teratomas of the ovaries, and thus is considered a paraneoplastic syndrome. Howerever, there are a substantial number of cases with no detectable cancerous tissue.

According to a review of 100 cases in The Lancet,^[3] 91 of the 100 patients were women, mean age of all patients numbered 23 years (5-76 range); of the 98 patients that underwent an oncological screening 58 had a tumour, predominantly an ovarian teratoma. All patients presented with psychiatric symptoms or memory problems; 76 of them suffered from seizures, 88 developed unresponsiveness (decreased consciousness), 86 - dyskinesias, 69 - autonomic instability, and 66 - hypoventilation. Tumour treatment associated with better prognosis; 75 patients got well without residual problems and 25 died or were left with severe deficits.

See also

• Anti-glutamate receptor antibodies

References

External links

• My mysterious lost month of madness - New York Post article by Susannah Cahalan, 4th oct. 2009

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