Anti-NMDAR encephalitis followed by seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A case report and literature review

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2017 Apr:155:75-82. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2017.02.016. Epub 2017 Feb 27.

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an inflammatory central nervous system syndrome, and encephalitis associated with anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies is an autoimmune encephalopathy. A patient with both diseases, separately or simultaneously, is rare as a clinical phenomenon, but cannot be ignored. We report the clinical characteristics and imaging features of a special case with anti-NMDAR encephalitis followed by NMOSD. We subsequently reviewed the English language literature about demyelinating disorders with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Details of the 34 patients identified are summarized and compared. There may be a connection between anti-NMDAR encephalitis and NMOSD.

Keywords: AQP4-IgG; Anti-NMDAR antibodies; Encephalitis, NMOSD.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis / complications
  • Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis / diagnosis
  • Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis / drug therapy*
  • Aquaporin 4 / immunology
  • Aquaporin 4 / metabolism
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Neuromyelitis Optica / diagnosis
  • Neuromyelitis Optica / etiology
  • Neuromyelitis Optica / immunology
  • Neuromyelitis Optica / pathology*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / immunology

Substances

  • AQP4 protein, human
  • Aquaporin 4
  • Autoantibodies
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Methylprednisolone