Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 11, 2025
Abbiategrasso Brain Bank Protocol for Collecting, Processing and Characterizing Aging Brains
Published on: June 3, 2020
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) Astrocytopathy Presenting as Mild Encephalopathy with Reversible Splenium
Charlotte Héraud1, Nicolas Capet2,3, Michaël Levraut3,4
1Service de Neurologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, 30 Voie Romaine, 06100, Nice, France. heraud.c@chu-nice.fr.
Introduction:
Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is scarce and usually presents as meningoencephalomyelitis. Here, we offer the case of an atypical presentation of GFAP-astrocytopathy.
Case Presentation:
We report the case of a 26-year-old woman admitted to our neurology department for a 3-week progressive and worsening neurologic picture, with secondary worsening. Initial imaging showed a Mild Encephalitis with Reversible Splenium of corpus callosum lesion (MERS). Full infectious and autoimmune workup then revealed positivity of GFAP antibodies, leading us to diagnose GFAP astrocytopathy.
Discussion:
Our case is the first reported association between MERS and GFAP astrocytopathy in an adult patient. Clinical presentation of GFAP astrocytopathy usually includes various neurologic symptoms and can lead to misdiagnosis.
Insights
This study presents a rare case of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy in an adult, uniquely associated with Mild Encephalitis with Reversible Splenium of corpus callosum lesions (MERS). This highlights GFAP astrocytopathy
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is a rare neurological disorder.
- It typically manifests as meningoencephalomyelitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report an atypical presentation of GFAP astrocytopathy.
- To highlight the association with Mild Encephalitis with Reversible Splenium of corpus callosum lesions (MERS).
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 26-year-old woman with progressive neurological symptoms.
- Neuroimaging revealed MERS.
- Autoimmune workup confirmed GFAP antibodies.
Main Results:
- Diagnosis of GFAP astrocytopathy was established.
- This represents the first reported adult case associating MERS and GFAP astrocytopathy.
Conclusions:
- GFAP astrocytopathy can present atypically.
- The association with MERS in adults is novel.
- Diverse neurological symptoms of GFAP astrocytopathy may lead to misdiagnosis.
