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Updated: Oct 27, 2025
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Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Published on: July 4, 2007
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Association between autoimmune encephalitis and epilepsy: Systematic review and meta-analysis
1Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, 295 Xi Chang Road, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, PR China.
Seizure
|July 20, 2021
Summary
Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is linked to epilepsy, with 42% of AE patients experiencing seizures. Neuronal antibodies, like anti-NMDAR, are detected in 4% of epilepsy cases, highlighting their role in AE-related epilepsy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) and its association with epilepsy are increasingly recognized.
- The epidemiological characteristics of AE, its related antibodies, and seizure prevalence remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the relationship between AE, seizures, and neuronal antibodies.
- To assess the incidence and prevalence of AE and associated epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases.
- Meta-analysis using a random-effects model to calculate pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Main Results:
- The overall incidence of seizures in AE patients was 42% (95% CI: 0.40-0.44).
- Epilepsy incidence in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis was 73% (95% CI: 0.70-0.77).
- AE accounted for 1% (95% CI: 0.01-0.02) of epilepsy cases; neuronal antibodies were detected in 4% (95% CI: 0.03-0.05) of epilepsy patients, with anti-NMDAR, anti-LGI1, and anti-CASPR2 antibodies each detected at low rates.
Conclusions:
- Neuronal antibodies may link autoimmune encephalitis and immune-related epilepsy.
- Further research is needed to refine estimations and inform public health policies for AE and epilepsy management.
