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Updated: May 6, 2026

A Simple Cell-based Immunofluorescence Assay to Detect Autoantibody Against the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate NMDA Receptor in Blood
Published on: January 9, 2018
Brain on fire: anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor encephalitis associated with ovarian teratoma
Spyridoula Maraka1, Chinthaka P Bulathsinghala, Prasant Grover
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, USA. smaraka@resident.uchc.edu
Introduction:
Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is the most common antibody-defined autoimmune neuronal disorder. It may present with psychiatric symptoms, decreased consciousness, and hypoventilation.
Data Sources:
A 33-year old female presented with agitation and psychotic symptoms following a flu-like illness. She was treated for a presumed psychiatric disorder before she developed seizures and respiratory failure. An extensive workup including routine blood work, brain imagining, electroencephalography, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis was unremarkable. After a prolonged hospital stay requiring multiple antiepileptic drugs and sedatives, a computerized tomography of the abdomen revealed an ovarian tumor. Immunosuppressive therapy was initiated and the tumor was resected, when anti-NMDAR encephalitis was suspected. The diagnosis was confirmed following a positive anti-NMDAR antibody.
Conclusion:
Anti-NMDAR encephalitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a diverse array of conditions. This case report emphasizes the importance of investigating such patients since proper treatment could potentially prevent neurologic complications or death.
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