Clinical and Therapeutic Approach to Autoimmune Encephalitis

Abstract

Introduction: Autoimmune encephalitis is an inflammatory brain condition with an incidence that has increased significantly in the last decade. Since its psychiatric manifestations requires an interdisciplinary approach between psychiatrist and neurologist.

Objective: To present a narrative review about the diagnostic and therapeutic approach in autoimmune encephalitis.

Methods: A narrative review of the most relevant articles in the area was made in the MEDLINE, SCOPUS and EMBASE databases.

Results: Autoimmune encephalitis encompasses a huge spectrum of neurological and psychiatric symptoms including psychosis, behavioral changes, cognitive deficits, and decreased level of consciousness. In the diagnostic analysis, considering an underlying autoimmune pathology is essential, once infectious, metabolic, and vascular causes are ruled out. The current diagnostic criteria support the recognition of this pathology and include electroencephalography, magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis and anti-neuronal autoantibody tests, now available in our country. Immunotherapy should be started as soon as possible to avoid the appearance of serious complications and is associated with a better prognosis.

Conclusions: an optimal clinical approach based on the defined diagnostic criteria is essential to administer immunotherapy early, which has been shown to significantly improve survival rates in this disease.