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Autoimmune Encephalitis

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Meningitis and Encephalitis

Abstract

Acute encephalitis is a rapidly progressive encephalopathy due to brain inflammation. Historically, the most frequently identified causes of acute encephalitis have been infectious, though recently an increasing number of autoimmune encephalitides have been described. While autoimmune encephalitis can occur in the setting of a tumor, infections such as herpes simplex encephalitis can also serve as a trigger. The clinical presentation, along with neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid studies, are vital in making the diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis and in distinguishing it from infectious encephalitis and from other causes of encephalopathy. First line treatments include corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasma exchange, while second line agents include targeted or broad spectrum immunosuppressive agents. Long-term outcomes following autoimmune encephalitis are poorly characterized and persistent neurocognitive symptoms are likely underrecognized.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Johns Hopkins Encephalitis Center, Division of Neuroimmunology and Neuroinfectious Diseases, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Arun Venkatesan & John C. Probasco

Authors
  1. Arun Venkatesan
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  2. John C. Probasco
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Correspondence to Arun Venkatesan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. UT Health-McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA

    Rodrigo Hasbun

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Venkatesan, A., Probasco, J.C. (2018). Autoimmune Encephalitis. In: Hasbun, R. (eds) Meningitis and Encephalitis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92678-0_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92678-0_12

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