title: Autoimmune Encephalitis.
abstract: The term autoimmune encephalitis is used to describe a group of disorders characterised by symptoms of limbic and extra-limbic dysfunction occurring in association with antibodies against synaptic antigens and proteins localised on the neuronal cell surface. In recent years there has been a rapidly expanding knowledge of these syndromes resulting in a shift in clinical paradigms and new insights into pathogenic mechanisms. Since many patients respond well to immunosuppressive treatment, the recognition of these disorders is of utmost importance. In general, there are no brain-imaging modalities or biomarkers specific of these disorders other than the demonstration of the neuronal antibodies. A disease classification based on these antibodies provides information on prognosis and paraneoplastic aetiology. This article focuses on recent clinical advances, newly characterised antibodies and treatment approaches to these disorders.
authors.affiliation: Post doctoral Research Fellow, Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Junior Attending Physician, Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leypoldt
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician, Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical-Centre Schleswig-Holstein Campus Lübeck, Germany; Attending Physician, Department of Neurology, University Medical-Centre Schleswig-Holstein Campus Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Klaus-Peter
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Wandinger
authors.affiliation: Head of Department, Epilepsy Centre Bethel, Mara-Clinic Bethel, Bielefeld, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Bien
authors.affiliation: Post doctoral Research Fellow, Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dalmau
keywords: AMPA receptor antibody; Encephalitis; GABA(b) receptor antibody; Hashimoto encephalopathy; SREAT; VGKC complex antibody; anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis; basal ganglia encephalitis; dopamine D2 receptor encephalitis; glycine receptor antibody; limbic encephalitis; neuronal surface antigen antibody; stiff-person-syndrome; synaptic autoimmunity