title: CSF findings in patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-encephalitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Anti-NMDAR-encephalitis is a recently described form of autoimmune encephalitis. Here, we characterize CSF changes in Chinese patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis, and explore the relationship between CSF findings and disease outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  The presence of NMDAR antibodies in serum or CSF samples was evaluated in patients diagnosed with encephalitis between October 1, 2010 and August 1, 2014 at the West China Hospital. All patients fulfilling our diagnostic criteria were included and CSF findings were analyzed. Patient outcome was assessed after 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 months using the modified Rankin scale (mRS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 3000 people with encephalitis screened, 43 patients were anti-NMDAR antibody positive in CSF or serum and included in this study. 62.8% of the patients identified with positive CSFs had positive serum anti-NMDAR samples, while 100% patients with positive serum had positive CSF samples. In the CSF white cell counts were elevated in 58.1% of cases; protein was increased in 18.6%; QAlb>Qlim(Alb) of the blood-CSF barrier was found in 29.3%; intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis was detected in 17.1%, and 39.5% patients exhibited increased CSF pressures. A longer follow-up period was associated with better outcomes. There was no relationship between changes in CSF findings and outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sensitivity of NMDA receptor antibody testing is higher in CSF compared to serum. Other CSF abnormalities are present in some patients with Anti-NMDAR-encephalitis, however these changes do not appear to affect prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: 1046792011@qq.com.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: guanhz@263.net.
authors.forename: Hong-Zhi
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: rht20080808@163.com.
authors.forename: Hai-Tao
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: wangwei10102@aliyun.com.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: Hongzhengoog@aliyun.com.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: zhoudong66@yahoo.de.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D060426:Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002452:Cell Count; D015170:Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure; D002648:Child; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis; Cerebrospinal fluid; Prognosis