Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
26:48

Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Published on: July 4, 2007

Infectious disease or Hashimoto's encephalopathy flares: a case report

Wenyan Huang1, Chang Xia, Marie Chatham

  • 1Department of Medicine, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21204, USA.

Seizure
|June 21, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Hashimoto's encephalopathy, a rare neurological disorder, can mimic infections but requires immunosuppression. Plasmapheresis offers a potential treatment when steroids are insufficient for Hashimoto's encephalopathy.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Immunology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a rare neurological condition often misdiagnosed due to overlapping symptoms with infections.
  • Diagnosis is challenging, necessitating a high index of suspicion in patients with unexplained neurological deficits and thyroid autoimmunity.

Observation:

  • A male patient with a history of seizures presented with confusion, leukocytosis, and fever while on immunosuppressants.
  • Initial high-dose steroid treatment yielded an incomplete response.

Findings:

  • The patient achieved complete remission of symptoms exclusively after initiating plasmapheresis.
  • Negative microbiological tests, abnormal EEG, elevated CSF protein, and positive thyroid antibodies are key indicators.

Implications:

  • Plasmapheresis should be considered for Hashimoto's encephalopathy cases with suboptimal response to high-dose steroids.
  • Early consideration of Hashimoto's encephalopathy is crucial for timely and effective treatment, potentially preventing long-term neurological damage.

More Related Videos

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model04:39

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Published on: March 17, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Graves' Disease I: Introduction01:28

Graves' Disease I: Introduction

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism, or overactivity of the thyroid gland. It results from autoantibodies called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSIs), which bind to thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors, leading to overstimulation of hormone production and a hypermetabolic state.EtiologyAlthough considered idiopathic, Graves’ disease has well-established contributing factors. There is a strong genetic component, with increased prevalence in...
Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology01:24

Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the production of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) that activate TSH receptors, leading to excessive synthesis and release of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and resulting in hyperthyroidism.Among all causes of hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease is the most common and can happen at any age, though it is more frequent in women. It produces a hypermetabolic state with features such as weight loss, tachycardia, tremor, and heat...
Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology01:27

Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology

Hyperthyroidism is a hypermetabolic state caused by elevated levels of thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). It results from dysregulation at the thyroid, pituitary, or immune system level and affects multiple organ systems.PathophysiologyThe most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies, specifically thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSAb), a subtype of TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb), bind to and activate TSH receptors...
Hepatic Encephalopathy01:29

Hepatic Encephalopathy

DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...