Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
07:20
A Simple Cell-based Immunofluorescence Assay to Detect Autoantibody Against the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate NMDA Receptor in Blood
Published on: January 9, 2018
9.5K
Pediatric anti-NMDA (N-methyl D-aspartate) receptor encephalitis
Alana Salvucci1, Irisa M Devine2, David Hammond2
1Alfred I. duPont Children's Hospital - Pediatric Neurology, Talleyville, Delaware.
Pediatric Neurology
|March 25, 2014
Summary
Pediatric anti-N-methyl D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) encephalitis presents with movement disorders and seizures. Early immune-modulatory treatment is crucial for remission, though relapses may require aggressive retreatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Anti-N-methyl D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) encephalitis is a severe autoimmune neurological condition.
- Pediatric cases present unique clinical challenges and require specific diagnostic approaches.
Observation:
- A single-center study observed three pediatric patients with anti-NMDA-R encephalitis.
- Patients exhibited hyperkinetic movement disorders, seizures, expressive aphasia, and emotional lability.
Findings:
- Immune-modulatory therapies including methylprednisolone, plasma exchange, IVIG, and mycophenolate mofetil were administered.
- Two patients experienced relapses requiring retreatment, with two ultimately needing rituximab for sustained remission.
- Standard imaging and EEG were nondiagnostic; one patient showed PET hypermetabolism correlating with symptoms.
Implications:
- Prompt NMDA-R antibody testing is recommended for pediatric acute encephalopathy with psychiatric symptoms.
- Aggressive immunomodulatory treatment and potential second-line therapies are necessary for managing relapses.
- Prolonged recovery and rehabilitation underscore the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to minimize long-term morbidity.
More Related Videos
10:19High-throughput Flow Cytometry Cell-based Assay to Detect Antibodies to N-Methyl-D-aspartate Receptor or Dopamine-2 Receptor in Human Serum
Published on: November 23, 2013
15.6K
08:20Hippocampal Neuronal Cultures to Detect and Study New Pathogenic Antibodies Involved in Autoimmune Encephalitis
Published on: June 2, 2022
5.2K
Related Concept Videos
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
15
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...
15
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
22
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...
22
01:14Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists
1.3K
Glutamate is a fundamental neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, playing a vital role in neuronal communication and various cognitive processes. Glutamate stands as the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Its presence is crucial for the communication between neurons, underpinning essential processes such as synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and plasticity. These functions are vital for higher-order cognitive processes, including learning and memory. The...
1.3K
01:25Arboviral Encephalitis
59
Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
59
01:18Viral Meningitis
199
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
199
01:28Diphtheria
175
Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated infectious disease that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a Gram-positive, pleomorphic rod that lacks spore-forming capability and exhibits a characteristic club-shaped morphology under microscopic examination. While C. diphtheriae can asymptomatically colonize mucosal surfaces, clinical disease manifests only when the bacterial strain is lysogenized by a specific β-corynephage. This phage...
175