Marques FMC, Nardi AE, Teixeira AL, Caixeta L. Immunopsychiatry: An Update on Autoimmune Encephalitis for Neuropsychiatrists.
Expert Rev Neurother 2022;
22:155-167. [PMID:
35130814 DOI:
10.1080/14737175.2022.2038136]
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) is a group of immune-mediated inflammatory processes of the brain with marked psychiatric features. Although relatively rare, they might offer difficult differential diagnosis with psychiatric conditions, especially catatonia and psychotic syndromes. Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is the most common AIE, presenting with psychiatric syndromes in 90% of cases. The associated psychopathology is complex, pleomorphic and best characterized when there is involvement of a psychiatrist in the assessment.
AREAS COVERED
This text will review the main aspects of AIE to psychiatrists and/or neuropsychiatrists.
EXPERT OPINION
Immune system dysfunction has been implicated in the pathophysiology of psychiatric symptoms and disorders. The use of diagnostic criteria of possible AIE, especially when specific antibodies of AIE are not available, allows early diagnosis and prompt treatment which are associated with better clinical outcomes. The study of the psychiatric aspects of AIE can broaden our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of various psychiatric manifestations.
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