Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibody-related encephalitis is an autoimmune disease associated with intracellular neuronal antigens. We report on a rare case of GAD antibody-associated encephalitis complicated with focal segmental stiffness-person syndrome (SPS) in a middle-aged woman. The disease course lasted for >10 years, initially presenting with drug-resistant epilepsy, followed by stiffness of the right lower limb, and right upper limb involvement. The patient experienced anxiety and depression symptoms due to long-term illness. During hospitalization, serum and cerebrospinal fluid GAD antibodies were positive and no tumor was found. The symptoms were significantly relieved after corticosteroid therapy and intravenous immunoglobulin immunomodulation therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this case is the first to discuss the early recognition and treatment of chronic epilepsy and focal segmental SPS caused by anti-GAD antibody-related encephalitis.
Keywords: encephalitis; epilepsy; glutamic acid decarboxylase; recognition and treatment; stiffness-person syndrome.