Rasmussen's encephalitis: a role for autoimmune cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Curr Opin Neurol. 2002 Apr;15(2):197-200. doi: 10.1097/00019052-200204000-00012.

Abstract

The present review describes advances in Rasmussen's encephalitis (also known as Rasmussen's syndrome), an unihemispheric intractable epileptic disease with persistent inflammation. Specific attention is given to the recent recognition of cytotoxicity by CD8+/granzyme-B-positive T lymphocytes as a new pathogenic mechanism of neuronal damage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / immunology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / pathology
  • Encephalitis / etiology*
  • Encephalitis / immunology*
  • Encephalitis / pathology
  • Encephalitis / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Receptors, AMPA / immunology
  • Receptors, AMPA / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 3