Autoimmune encephalitis

Question 1

What are the two main types of AE?

Answer 1

Abs against neuronal cell surface or synaptic receptors

Abs against intracellular antigens

Question 2

What is the most common subtype of AE?

Answer 2

anti-NMDAR encephalitis

Question 3

What is the difference between GABA-A and GABA-B AE?

Answer 3

GABA-A - more serious seizures and more treatment resistant
GABA-B - more limbic involvement with more prominent mood and memory symptoms

Question 4

What is the difference between the two main types of AE?

Answer 4

Abs against neuronal cell surface or synaptic receptors - more treatable
Abs against intracellular antigens - less responsive to treatment and associated with tumours

Question 5

What are examples of AE with abs against intracellular antigens ?

Answer 5

anti-Hu
anti-Ma
anti-GAD

Question 6

How is it diagnosed?

Answer 6

CSF for abs and WCC or proteins - raised WCC or protein
MRI - may show abnormalities in the medial temporal lobes, can be normal tho
EEG - non-specific abnormalities