Anti-α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic
acid (
AMPA) receptor encephalitis is a rare
autoimmune disease that is characterized by acute
cognitive impairment, mental symptoms, and
seizures. The high comorbidity rate between anti-
AMPA receptor (AMPAR)
encephalitis and other somatic diseases, such as
malignancy, has revealed the possibility of potential copathogenesis. However, there have not yet been reports about anti-AMPAR
encephalitis with concomitant cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
biomarkers consistent with
Alzheimer disease (AD). Herein, we present the case of an elderly male patient with
autoimmune encephalitis (AE) presenting with anti-AMPA1-R and anti-AMPA2-R
antibodies, as well as CSF
biomarkers of AD. The patient was hospitalized with acute memory decline for 1 week. Anti-AMPA1-R and anti-AMPA2-R
antibodies were positively detected in CSF, and the anti-AMPA2-R antibody was also present in the serum. Additionally, the
biomarkers of AD were concurrently present in CSF (Aβ1-42 = 245.70 pg/mL, t-Tau = 894.48 pg/mL, p-Tau = 78.66 pg/mL). After administering a combined treatment of
intravenous immunoglobulin and
glucocorticoids, the patient recovered significantly, and his cognitive function achieved a sustained remission during 2 months' follow-up. This case raises the awareness of a possible interaction between AE and changes of CSF
biomarkers. We speculated that the existence of AMPAR
antibodies can induce changes of CSF, and other pathological alterations. This present report highlights that a potential relationship exists among AE and provides a warning when making the diagnosis of AD.