Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 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
Electroencephalographic and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography correlates in anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate
John C Probasco1, David R Benavides1, Anthony Ciarallo2
1Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Importance:
Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) autoimmune encephalitis is an increasingly recognized cause of limbic encephalitis (LE). Prolonged LE and limbic status epilepticus (LSE) share many features. The ability to distinguish between the two is crucial in directing appropriate therapy because of the potential iatrogenesis associated with immunosuppression and anesthetic-induced coma.
Observations:
A 34-year-old woman with recurrent LE developed behavioral changes, global aphasia, and repetitive focal and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Because asymmetric rhythmic delta patterns recurred on electroencephalography (EEG) despite treatment with nonsedating antiepileptic drugs followed by anesthetic-induced coma, an investigation to distinguish LSE from LE was undertaken. Implanted limbic/temporal lobe depth electrodes revealed no epileptiform activity. Brain single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) showed no hyperperfusion, and brain fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) showed hypermetabolism in the left frontal, temporal, and parietal cortices. Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor autoimmune encephalitis was diagnosed based detection of anti-NMDAR antibody in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). With chronic immunosuppression, the resolution of brain FDG-PET abnormalities paralleled clinical improvement.
Conclusions And Relevance:
This case of anti-NMDAR autoimmune encephalitis illustrates the challenges of distinguishing prolonged LE from LSE. We discuss the parallels between these two conditions and propose a management paradigm to optimize evaluation and treatment.
More Related Videos
09:41Imaging CD19+ B Cells in an Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mouse Model using Positron Emission Tomography
Published on: January 20, 2023
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
Related Concept Videos
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Encephalitis l: Introduction