Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026

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
Hippocampal dysfunction after autoimmune encephalitis depending on the antibody type
Martin Hänsel1,2, Heinz Reichmann1, Antje Haehner3
1Department of Neurology, University of Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
Background:
Comprehensive neurocognitive function analyses of autoimmune encephalitis (AE) patients, especially long-term ones, are rare. This study aims to measure cognitive function in patients diagnosed with AE.
Methods:
This case-control study included AE patients (n = 11) with antibodies against NMDA receptor (NMDAR) (n = 4), VGKC (n = 3), GAD (3), and one antibody-negative patient. The control group contained 12 pneumococcal meningo-encephalitis patients (PC). Subgroup analyses compared AE patients with and without NMDAR antibodies. Neurocognitive tests were performed to evaluate verbal and visual memory, face recognition, attentional capacity, incidental learning capacity, and overall cognitive function (Montreal cognitive assessment, MoCA). Limbic structural involvement was assessed through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Statistical analyses investigated correlations between antibody status, results of neurocognitive tests, and MRI findings.
Results:
Follow-up (AE vs. PC) was 33 (11-95) vs. 96 (26-132) months after diagnosis. Neurocognitive functions were normal in both AE and PC groups in all tests except face recognition, which was pathological in both groups. The overall/recognition/long-delay visual memory (p = 0.009/0.008/0.005) and incidental learning (p = 0.017) scores were significantly higher in NMDAR patients compared to non-NMDAR patients. Non-NMDAR patients with right-sided limbic MRI pathologies had significantly lower overall/recognition/long-delay visual memory (p = 0.006/0.044/0.024) and incidental learning (p = 0.009) scores compared to NMDAR patients.
Conclusions:
We observed mainly normal neurocognitive functions after autoimmune and bacterial encephalitis. However, compared to NMDAR patients, patients with non-NMDAR autoimmune encephalitis showed a significant and material-specific association between a right-sided hippocampal lesion and limitations in figural-mnestic and incidental learning capacities. Neurocognitive functions in AE patients should be further evaluated prospectively and in more detail.
More Related Videos
07:20A Simple Cell-based Immunofluorescence Assay to Detect Autoantibody Against the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate NMDA Receptor in Blood
Published on: January 9, 2018
08:20Hippocampal Neuronal Cultures to Detect and Study New Pathogenic Antibodies Involved in Autoimmune Encephalitis
Published on: June 2, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Role of Hippocampus in Memory
Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Hepatic Encephalopathy