[Autoimmune encephalitis as a cause of psychosis]

Duodecim. 2014;130(5):469-74.
[Article in Finnish]

Abstract

Antibodies directed to the surface structures of nerve cells may cause autoimmune encephalitis. It may cause limbic encephalitis requiring intensive care, or symptoms are restricted to psychosis. This disease may be impossible to distinguish clinically from a functional psychotic illness. Some of the cases are paraneoplastic, i.e. associated with a diagnosed or latent malignant neoplasia, most commonly ovarian teratoma. The first line treatment for autoimmune encephalitis is an immunomodulatory combination therapy with immunoglobulin and methylprednisolone. We recommend screening of the most common NMDAR and VGKC antibodies related to autoimmune encephalitis from patients having developed a new psychosis.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Diseases / complications*
  • Brain Diseases / drug therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Encephalitis
  • Hashimoto Disease / complications*
  • Hashimoto Disease / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Limbic Encephalitis / complications*
  • Limbic Encephalitis / drug therapy
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / immunology
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / immunology
  • Psychotic Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Psychotic Disorders / immunology*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / immunology

Substances

  • GRIN1 protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate

Supplementary concepts

  • Hashimoto's encephalitis