Autoimmune encephalitis - Recent Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management

Abstract

Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is a group of acute to subacute onset, rapidly progressive, non-infectious, immune-mediated, inflammatory disorders of the brain parenchyma often affecting the cortical or deep grey matter with or without involving the white matter, meninges or spinal cord.1-4 An estimated prevalence rate for AE is 13.7/100 000, so possibly as common as infectious encephalitis.5 ‘Autoimmune neurology’ is coming up with the advent of newer antibodies and associated syndromes.6 Identifying these disorders is rewarding in view of favourable response to immunotherapy compared to infectious encephalitis with limited therapeutic options. Clinicians need to suspect AE clinically first to plan investigations and early treatment.1 Long-term management depends on antibody identified. Recent guidelines for diagnosis and management of AE are discussed here.