Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Hippocampal Neuronal Cultures to Detect and Study New Pathogenic Antibodies Involved in Autoimmune Encephalitis
08:20

Hippocampal Neuronal Cultures to Detect and Study New Pathogenic Antibodies Involved in Autoimmune Encephalitis

Published on: June 2, 2022

A Case of Refractory Anti-GABAAR Encephalitis: Diagnostic Insights and Treatment Challenges

Takuma Mori1, Satoshi Nozuma1, Takahiro Hobara1

  • 1Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Japan.

Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|August 10, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This case study highlights anti-gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABAAR) encephalitis, an autoimmune condition causing refractory seizures and multifocal brain lesions. Characteristic imaging findings may suggest this rare neurological disorder.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Immunology
  • Neuroimaging

Background:

  • Anti-gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABAAR) encephalitis is a rare autoimmune disorder.
  • It presents with neurological symptoms including seizures and behavioral changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe a case of anti-GABAAR encephalitis.
  • To highlight characteristic neuroimaging findings and diagnostic markers.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical case presentation.
  • Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR).
  • Detection of GABAAR antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Main Results:

  • The patient presented with olfactory dysfunction, behavioral changes, and epilepsy.
  • MRI revealed multifocal cortico-subcortical T2-FLAIR hyperintensities, sparing the brainstem, cerebellum, and basal ganglia.
  • GABAAR antibodies were detected, confirming the diagnosis.

Conclusions:

  • Multifocal lesions restricted to cerebral hemispheres may suggest anti-GABAAR encephalitis.
  • Early diagnosis and targeted immunotherapy are crucial for managing this condition.
Keywords:
Anti-GABAAR antibodiesMRIautoimmune encephalitis

More Related Videos

High-throughput Flow Cytometry Cell-based Assay to Detect Antibodies to N-Methyl-D-aspartate Receptor or Dopamine-2 Receptor in Human Serum10:19

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

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

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...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...