Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

High-throughput Flow Cytometry Cell-based Assay to Detect Antibodies to N-Methyl-D-aspartate Receptor or Dopamine-2 Receptor in Human Serum
10:19

High-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

16.4K

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia, causality or

Ying Yu1, Jun-Li Liu2, Dai-Shi Tian3

  • 1Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

BMC Neurology
|April 24, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study reports the first association between anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). This finding suggests CML may be a potential underlying malignancy in limbic encephalitis cases.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is a common autoimmune neurological disorder, frequently linked to ovarian teratomas.
  • This condition involves antibodies attacking NMDARs in the brain, leading to inflammation and neurological symptoms.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with symptoms of anti-NMDAR encephalitis, including fever, headache, and seizures.
  • Diagnostic tests confirmed anti-NMDAR antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
  • A year later, the patient developed extreme leukocytosis, leading to a diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) with the Philadelphia chromosome and BCR/ABL1 fusion transcripts.

Findings:

  • This case represents the first documented instance of anti-NMDAR encephalitis occurring in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).
  • The diagnosis of CML was made during the recovery phase of the encephalitis.

Implications:

  • This association suggests that CML should be considered as a potential paraneoplastic condition in patients diagnosed with limbic encephalitis.
  • Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for underlying malignancies, including CML, in patients with autoimmune encephalitis.
Keywords:
Anti-NMDAR encephalitisAutoimmune encephalitisCase reportChronic myelogenous leukemiaParaneoplastic limbic encephalitisSeizure

More Related Videos

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein MOG35-55 Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis EAE in C57BL/6 Mice08:03

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein MOG35-55 Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis EAE in C57BL/6 Mice

Published on: April 15, 2014

82.6K
A Simple Cell-based Immunofluorescence Assay to Detect Autoantibody Against the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate NMDA Receptor in Blood07:20

A Simple Cell-based Immunofluorescence Assay to Detect Autoantibody Against the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate NMDA Receptor in Blood

Published on: January 9, 2018

10.0K

Related Concept Videos

Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

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...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

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...