Neuropsychological follow-up of a case of encephalitis by anti-nmda receptor

Neurocase. 2022 Feb;28(1):96-101. doi: 10.1080/13554794.2022.2032186. Epub 2022 Jan 24.

Abstract

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune disease with psychiatric and cognitive symptoms. Our aim is to describe the cognitive follow-up of a patient diagnosed with the disease for 4 years. The results revealed severe cognitive impairment at the initial evaluation. At 3 months, memory and executive function deficits prevailed. At 9 months, only a deficit in verbal memory was found. At 4 years, she presented a mild memory deficit. These results revealed a significant short-term cognitive deficit. Subsequently, executive functions, memory and verbal fluency recovered, while a mild deficit in verbal memory persisted.

Keywords: Neuropsychological testing; anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis; cognitive decline; cognitive impairments; memory deficits.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis* / complications
  • Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis* / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate

Substances

  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate