Autoimmune Encephalitis

autoimmune encephalitis (aiE) associated with neural autoantibodies is increasingly recognized as a cause of subacute onset amnesia, confusion, and seizures. in the past decade, several key antibody targets have been identified in aiE. These include the N-methyl d-aspartate (NMda) receptors, voltage-gated potassium channel complexes—in particular leucine-rich glioma inactivated 1 (lGi1) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (Gad). There is accumulating clinical and laboratory evidence that antibodies targeting the extracellular domains of cell-surface molecules are directly pathogenic. Each antibody target associates with a spectrum of clinical features and relative response to immunotherapies. These immunotherapies have been shown to improve shortand long-term clinical outcomes in affected patients. aiE is an important differential diagnosis to consider in patients presenting with symptoms of encephalitis as early diagnosis can lead to successful treatment.