LGI1 antibody encephalitis - Detailed clinical, laboratory and radiological description of 13 cases in China

Abstract

Background and purpose: LGI1 antibody encephalitis is a synaptic autoimmune disorder that was first reported in 2010. To date, LGI1 antibody encephalitis is a widely-recognized disease in neurology and psychiatry. In order to aid clinical recognition of the condition, we analyze the clinical characteristics of 13 Chinese LGI1 antibody encephalitis patients.

Methods: We analyzed clinical features of patients admitted to the West China Hospital who had been diagnosed with LGI1 antibody encephalitis from 2015 to 2017.

Results: The median age of the 13 patients was 40.5years. There were 8 female patients, and 1 patient younger than 20years. The initial symptoms in 6 patients (46%) were psychiatric in nature. After treatment, 10 patients (77%) recovered gradually, and 11 patients (85%) showed improvement of psychiatric symptoms.

Conclusions: LGI1 antibody encephalitis should be suspected in patients who developed a rapid change in behavior or psychosis, seizures, or cognition. Timely diagnosis and treatment may yield favorable prognosis.