Anti-NMDAR encephalitis: symptoms, biomarkers, and mechanisms of the prolonged recovery stage

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is a disease caused by a self-attack of a patient’s own immunological system against a brain receptor called NMDA. This leads to severe neurologic and psychiatric symptoms (seizures, hallucinations, psychosis, memory loss, abnormal movements, or coma) that often need intensive care support. After treatment, many symptoms resolve but patients are left with long-lasting impairment of memory, attention, reasoning, and behavior. The cause and treatment of these lingering symptoms are unknown. In this study we will examine these brain alterations by inviting patients to participate in visits and tests that will be run in the hospital and at home (via iPad, portable devices). Blood and spinal fluid studies will be used to identify biomarkers to guide treatment, and online cognitive rehabilitation will be applied. In parallel, we will use a mouse model of the disease to understand the cause of the symptoms, develop new treatment strategies, and accelerate recovery.