Autoimmune limbic encephalitis.
Autoimmune limbic encephalitis is an increasingly recognised cause of cognitive decline and confusion. The typical presentation is with subacute cognitive decline, behavioural disturbance and seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging may show characteristic changes in the medial temporal regions. The diagnosis is confirmed by identification of elevated voltage-gated potassium channel antibody (VGKC-Ab) titres. It is a highly treatable condition, often responding well to intravenous immunoglobulin or steroids. Recognition of autoimmune limbic encephalitis is sometimes delayed--usually because the diagnosis has not been considered--which can result in long-term neurological consequences.
Division of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh. cderry@nhs.net
Christopher P
CP
Derry
Mark D
MD
Wilkie
Rustam
R
Al-Shahi Salman
Richard J
RJ
Davenport
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D020274:Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000276:immunology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000276:immunology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020363:Limbic Encephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / Q000276:immunology; D011379:Prognosis
D001323:Autoantibodies; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated