Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalopathy in a Young Female

Abstract

Widely distributed in the central nervous system (CNS), N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are believed to be involved in long-term potentiation, essential in regulating and forming memory. This condition primarily occurs in young females because of autoantibodies forming against the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-1 (NR1) or N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-2 (NR2) subunits of NMDAR in the CNS, ultimately portraying a unique psychoneurological phenomenon. Patients with antibodies against NMDAR present with a combination of neurological and psychiatric signs and symptoms. This article presents a case of a young female with no significant past medical, psychological, or surgical history. While being previously diagnosed with acute psychosis, upon arrival at the emergency department (ED), she also displayed an acute decline in judgment, hallucinations, severe agitation, and peculiar behavior, prompting family members to seek medical attention. Consequently, she was evaluated for metabolic and infectious encephalopathy. Following a thorough examination and extensive laboratory imaging, the patient was found to have NMDAR antibody encephalopathy. After dedicated treatment, her two-month follow-up presented a complete resolution of symptoms.

Keywords: acute encephalitis; acute psychosis; anti-nmdar encephalitis; autoantibody behavioral change; nmdar antibody encephalitis; nmdar encephalitis; subacute psychosis.