title: Anti- N-Methyl-d-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Encephalitis.
abstract: Anti- N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis has been shown to be a treatable form of autoimmune encephalitis, but there remains no standardized approach to immunotherapy. We designed an anonymous survey sent to members of the Child Neurology Society to identify the current practices among child neurologists. A total of 151 pediatric neurologists responded to the survey. With these responses we were able to highlight areas of practice uniformity, including first-line treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and intravenous methylprednisone and initiation of disease-modifying therapy with rituximab alone. The survey also identifies existing gaps in knowledge, specifically, when to add disease-modifying therapy and how long to continue therapy. We propose that the areas of agreement can be used as a step toward establishing standard treatment guidelines and research protocols directed at evidence-based clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurology, Children's National Health System, NW, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Ilana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurology, Children's National Health System, NW, Washington, DC, USA.|2 Children's Research Institute, NW, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Helman
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurology, Children's National Health System, NW, Washington, DC, USA.|2 Children's Research Institute, NW, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Adeline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vanderver
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurology, Children's National Health System, NW, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wells
mesh_terms: D060426:Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy; D000072141:Neurologists; D000072143:Pediatricians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors
keywords: anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis; immunotherapy; pediatric neurology; rituximab; treatment protocol