Abstract | BACKGROUND: Evaluation of patients with recent onset of progressive cognitive and behavioral problems can be challenging. Psychiatric disorders, metabolic derangements, toxins and infections are generally considered in the differential diagnosis along with prion disorders ( Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) and rapidly progressive degenerative dementias. Some subacute encephalopathies are caused by autoimmune or inflammatory mechanisms, recognized by the association with autoantibody markers and/or clear response to immunomodulatory treatment. This review describes the clinical features of these potentially reversible autoimmune encephalopathies. REVIEW SUMMARY: CONCLUSIONS: Autoimmune encephalopathies are an important cause of rapidly progressive cognitive and behavioral decline that probably remain under recognized. Electroencephalography, brain MRI, cerebrospinal fluid examination and serological tests are useful diagnostic tools. With increased clinical suspicion, these diseases may be diagnosed and treated successfully.
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Authors | Steven Vernino, Michael Geschwind, Bradley Boeve |
Journal | The neurologist
(Neurologist)
Vol. 13
Issue 3
Pg. 140-7
(May 2007)
ISSN: 1074-7931 [Print] United States |
PMID | 17495758
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
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Topics |
- Age of Onset
- Autoimmune Diseases
(immunology, pathology, physiopathology)
- Brain
(pathology)
- Encephalitis
(immunology, pathology, physiopathology)
- Humans
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