Description
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain often caused by infection (viruses), an allergic reaction or the presence of autoantibodies / autoimmune disease. A diagnosis of the autoimmune form of encephalitis has been remarkably improved by the finding of an autoantibody, anti- N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR1), in the cerebrospinal fluid or blood of the patient. NMDAR is a glutamate receptor and ion channel protein found in nerve cells.
Symptoms
- Headache
- Fever
- Aches in muscles or joints
- Fatigue or weakness
- Confusion, agitation or hallucinations
- Seizures
- Loss of sensation or paralysis in certain areas of the face or body
- Muscle weakness
- Problems with speech or hearing
- Loss of consciousness (including coma)
Infants and young children:
- Bulging in the soft spots (fontanels) of an infant’s skull
- Nausea and vomiting
- Body stiffness
- Poor feeding or not waking for a feeding
- Irritability
Related Dx Tests
- Anti‐DPPX (dipeptidyl aminopeptidase‐like 6)
- Anti-VGKC (Voltage gated potassium channel)
- Anti‐GABAB Receptor
- Anti‐AMPA Receptor
- Ganglioside Autoantibody Panel
- Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD)
- Anti‐Myelin Associated Glycoproteins (MAG)
- Anti‐GAD 65 (Glutamate Decarboxylase)
- Neurofilament Heavy Chain
- Sjögren Disease Panel
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Panel