Autoimmune Encephalitis

This keynote presentation by Marianna Spatola, MD, PhD is the 2nd presentation in the 2023 Speaker Series celebrating Autoimmune Encephalitis Awareness Month.
Dr. Spatola reviews the disease process from the prodromal stage to relapse/recovery and lasting deficits. The difference between intracellular and cell surface antibodies is explained and focus is given to the two most common types of AE, anti-NMDAr and LGI1. Studies that have provided outcome expectations are reviewed along with the slow speed of recovery, relapse rates and lasting deficits many patients experience. There is an excellent Question and Answer period at the end of the presentation.
Dr. Marianna Spatola is an MD,Ph.D. Neurologist, Neuroimmunologist. Her research is focused on autoimmune neurological disorders, with a particular interest in understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of antibody-mediated encephalitis, and the contribution of viral infections in triggering brain autoimmunity.
She is the author of 30+ publications in peer-reviewed journals such as Neurology, Brain, Lancet Neurology, Nature Communications, and a book chapter of the “Neuroimmunology” textbook published by Springer Nature in 2021.
She works as a Clinical Neuroimmunology at IDIBAPS (August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute), where Prof. J Dalmau heads the Neuroimmunology laboratory and Prof. F. Graus heads the University Clinical Hospital, in Barcelona, Spain.
Autoimmune Encephalitis is a group of inflammatory brain diseases that are characterized by prominent neuropsychiatric symptoms. These patients are often believed to have psychiatric presentations, but they do NOT. Common clinical features include a change in behavior, psychosis, seizures, memory, and cognitive deficits, abnormal movements, dysautonomia, and a decreased level of consciousness. Psychiatrists and Emergency Room Physicians are often the first medical professionals who see these patients. It is vital that Clinicians consider the possibility of an autoantibody-related etiology and become familiar with the red flags suggestive of synaptic autoimmunity as the underlying cause in all cases of first-onset, out-of-the-blue psychosis. A high level of suspicion is necessary as autoimmune encephalitis is treatable with immunotherapy. Firm evidence shows that earlier recognition and treatment lead to improved outcomes. It is important to note, that the disorder is refractory to antipsychotics; indeed, antipsychotic agents make affected patients much worse, even to the point of developing something akin to neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
The International Autoimmune Encephalitis Society, (IAES), is the only Family/Patient-centered organization for people with a diagnosis of Autoimmune Encephalitis. Leading with integrity, IAES strives to advance services, education, increased awareness and research for this group of diseases. IAES provides science-based information backed by trusted medical experts in the field of autoimmune neurology and relies on the expertise of our Medical Advisory Board. We are an established non-profit organization with a history of supporting all-inclusive services from diagnosis to recovery and the many challenges experienced in that journey.
Visit our website: www.autoimmune-encephalitis.org
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