Autoimmune encephalitis means inflammation of the brain caused by an immune attack on neuronal proteins. It develops over days to weeks, and because the early picture overlaps with infectious encephalitis, both are investigated together from the start.
The idea that organises the topic is the antibody target. Some antibodies bind proteins on the neuronal surface and injure the brain directly, while others mark a T-cell attack on proteins inside the cell. That difference shapes the tumour risk, the response to treatment, and the outlook.
Choose a route through the topic
Read in order, the four notes run from mechanism to syndromes to workup to treatment.
- Pathophysiology explains why the antibody target changes the tumour risk and the response to treatment. Start here if the antibody classes are new.
- Clinical Patterns describes the recognizable syndromes and the tempo that separates them from mimics. Begin here if the antibody classes are already familiar.
- Diagnosis explains how brain imaging, spinal fluid analysis, EEG, antibody testing, and tumour screening fit together.
- Treatment explains the reasoning behind starting immunotherapy early, stepping it up when needed, and treating any driving tumour alongside.