Autoimmune encephalitis in Pediatrics. Anti-N-methyl D-aspartate receptor (Anti-R-NMDA)

Abstract

Encephalitis is an inflammatory disorder of the brain that leads to an altered mental state, seizures, focal neurological deficits, usually accompanied by signs of inflammation in the cerebrospinal fluid and findings on magnetic resonance that can range from normality to extensive abnormalities. The anti-RNMDA antibody is the one that causes most cases of autoimmune encephalitis in children and young adults, followed by the anti-LGI1 antibody that occurs in adults. They are characterized by being frequently associated
with a tumor, responding to immunotherapy and causing variable brain damage that manifest as polymorphic clinical conditions (from limbic dysfunction to multifocal or diffuse encephalopathy). The exact prevalence of autoimmune encephalitis is uncertain, with a significant increase in the case report in the last 10 years, associated with the progress in the investigation of antibodies against a specific cellular antigen. All autoimmune encephalitis respond to immunomodulatory therapy. Generally, the evolution to improvement is slow and can be completed in months or even a year or more. We will review generalities of autoimmune encephalitis, its most common form and discuss its diagnostic and treatment approach.