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Case Reports
. 2011 Oct;11(5):476-8.
doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.11-5-476.

Autoimmune limbic encephalitis

Christopher P Derry  1 , Mark D Wilkie, Rustam Al-Shahi Salman, Richard J Davenport
Affiliations
Case Reports

Autoimmune limbic encephalitis

Christopher P Derry et al. Clin Med (Lond). 2011 Oct.

Abstract

Autoimmune limbic encephalitis is an increasingly recognised cause of cognitive decline and confusion. The typical presentation is with subacute cognitive decline, behavioural disturbance and seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging may show characteristic changes in the medial temporal regions. The diagnosis is confirmed by identification of elevated voltage-gated potassium channel antibody (VGKC-Ab) titres. It is a highly treatable condition, often responding well to intravenous immunoglobulin or steroids. Recognition of autoimmune limbic encephalitis is sometimes delayed--usually because the diagnosis has not been considered--which can result in long-term neurological consequences.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Magnetic resonance image (FLAIR sequence), showing generalised cerebral atrophy and relative hyperintensity in medial temporal structures (arrowed).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis associated with ovarian teratoma.
    Lee KG. Lee KG. Clin Med (Lond). 2012 Feb;12(1):95-6. doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.12-1-95a. Clin Med (Lond). 2012. PMID: 22372238 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Autoimmune limbic encephalitis.
    Wingfield T, McHugh C, Vas A, Richardson A, Wilkins E, Bonington A, Varma A. Wingfield T, et al. Clin Med (Lond). 2012 Feb;12(1):96. doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.12-1-96. Clin Med (Lond). 2012. PMID: 22372239 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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