Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis: "Brain on Fire"

Speaker:
Susan Ye-Bates, MD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
UCSF Weill Institite for Neurosciences
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Learning objectives:
At the end of this presentation, learners will be able to:
1) Identify key symptoms associated with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and how to distinguish this disorder from a primary psychiatric disorder
2) Gain insight in the role we play as mental health professionals in the treatment of this potentially deadly, but very treatable illness
3) Understand the basic pathophysiology of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and how this results in its psychiatric presentation
4) Recognize the diagnostic tests and treatment options for anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis
5) Discuss ways to talk to families about their child's psychiatric presentation during acute illness and afterwards