It is currently unclear whether the GluN2 subtype influences NMDA receptor (NMDAR) excitotoxicity. We report that the toxicity of NMDAR-mediated Ca(2+) influx is differentially controlled by the cytoplasmic C-terminal domains of GluN2B (CTD(2B)) and GluN2A (CTD(2A)). Studying the effects of acute expression of GluN2A/2B-based chimeric subunits with reciprocal exchanges of their CTDs revealed th...

Anti-NMDA receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis has only recently been described as a cause of paraneoplastic and autoimmune encephalitis (Dalmau et al. 2008). Herein we present a 13-year-old girl with NMDAR encephalitis characterized by acute mania at onset, which was initially misdiagnosed as a primary psychiatric disorder. No evidence of a tumor was found. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was admin...

We present four cases of confirmed anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis; three presented initially with serious psychiatric symptoms and the other developed significant psychiatric symptoms during the initial phase of illness. Brain biopsy findings of one patient are also described. Psychiatrists should consider anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis in patients presenting with psychosis and additional fea...

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis was first described as a severe form of encephalitis by Dalmau et al in 2006. This is an autoimmune disorder usually associated with paraneoplastic mechanism that manifests as neuropsychiatric disorder affecting mainly women of child-bearing age. Nevertheless anti- NMDA receptor encephalitis is a rare condition during pregnancy. To -date, t...

In the majority of pediatric anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis (NMDARe) cases, the underlying cause of antibody production and subsequent disease remains unknown. We aimed to characterize this poorly understood population, investigating epidemiological factors potentially related to disease etiology, particularly season of onset. In this retrospective case review study, we analyze...

The natural long-term course of antibody titers in patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis remains uncertain. We measured anti-NMDAR antibodies in a patient with anti-NMDAR encephalitis who had a severe disease course for 5 years. The antibody titers in the first serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were 1:1600 and 1:320, respectively. During gradual re...

Background Modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits NR1 and NR2 through phosphorylation mediates opioid-induced hyperalgesia, and activations of protein kinase C and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 potentiate while activation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibits opioid-induced hyperalgesia. However, the mechanism of opioid-induced hyperalgesia develop...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The aim of this study was to measure apparent diffusion coefficients in rat brain tissue exposed to ouabain, glutamate, and N-methyl-D-aspartate and to compare them with apparent diffusion coefficients found in acute cerebral ischemia. METHODS The apparent diffusion coefficient was measured using magnetic resonance microscopy in four groups of Sprague-Dawley rats after ...

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is a rare panencephalitis that can present with severe cardiac dysrhythmias. We present a case of a 19-year-old woman with no significant medical history who presented with progressive changes in mental status and profound ictal asystole that necessitated the placement of an external temporary pacemaker. She was diagnosed with and treated f...

Most patients with N-methyl D-aspartate-receptor antibody encephalitis develop seizures but the epileptogenicity of the antibodies has not been investigated in vivo. Wireless electroencephalogram transmitters were implanted into 23 C57BL/6 mice before left lateral ventricle injection of antibody-positive (test) or healthy (control) immunoglobulin G. Mice were challenged 48 h later with a subthr...