[Immune-mediated epilepsy and encephalopathy]

Nervenarzt. 2013 Apr;84(4):442-9. doi: 10.1007/s00115-012-3605-7.
[Article in German]

Abstract

During the last decade new knowledge on immune-mediated disorders of the grey substance of the central nervous system (CNS) has been generated. These conditions are associated with seizures in approximately 80% of cases and often present as drug-resistant epilepsies. The discovery of autoantibodies against neural surface antigens was essential for the identification of these disorders. Immune-mediated epilepsies often respond poorly to antiepileptic drugs; however, they do respond in many cases to immunological therapy which offers a chance of overcoming resistance to antiepileptic drugs by immunological treatment.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies / immunology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / diagnosis
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / immunology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / therapy*
  • Encephalomyelitis / diagnosis
  • Encephalomyelitis / immunology*
  • Encephalomyelitis / therapy*
  • Epilepsy / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy / immunology*
  • Epilepsy / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / trends

Substances

  • Autoantibodies