Suicidality is a common and serious feature of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis

Mental health outcomes of encephalitis: An international web-based study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Acute encephalitis is associated with psychiatric symptoms. Despite this, the extent of mental health problems following encephalitis has not been systematically reported.

METHODS

We recruited adults who had been diagnosed with encephalitis of any aetiology to complete a web-based questionnaire.

RESULTS

In total, 445 respondents from 31 countries (55.1% UK, 23.1% USA) responded. Infectious encephalitis constituted 65.4% of cases, autoimmune 29.7%. Mean age was 50.1 years, 65.8% were female, and median time since encephalitis diagnosis was 7 years. The most common self-reported psychiatric symptoms were anxiety (75.2%), sleep problems (64.4%), mood problems (62.2%), and unexpected crying (35.2%). Self-reported psychiatric diagnoses were common: anxiety (44.0%), depression (38.6%), panic disorder (15.7%), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; 21.3%). Severe mental illnesses such as psychosis (3.3%) and bipolar affective disorder (3.1%) were reported. Self-reported diagnosis rates were broadly consistent with results from the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire. Many respondents also reported they had symptoms of anxiety (37.5%), depression (28.1%), PTSD (26.8%), or panic disorder (20.9%) that had not been diagnosed. Rates of psychiatric symptoms did not differ between autoimmune and infectious encephalitis. In total, 37.5% respondents had thought about suicide, and 4.4% had attempted suicide, since their encephalitis diagnosis. More than half of respondents (53.5%) reported they had no, or substandard, access to appropriate mental health care. High rates of sensory hypersensitivities (>75%) suggest a previously unreported association.

CONCLUSIONS

This large international survey indicates that psychiatric symptoms following encephalitis are common and that mental health care provision may be inadequate. We highlight a need for proactive psychiatric input.

A Near-Fatal Encounter with Acute Suicidal Behavior in Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate Autoimmune Encephalitis

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis (anti-NMDARE) is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome known for its diverse neurological manifestations, often involving psychiatric symptoms and seizures that elevate the risk of suicidal ideation and behavior. We present a case illustrating the potentially lethal nature of anti-NMDARE, wherein an unexpected suicide attempt occurred 10 days after the onset of seizures in a 21-year-old man. Upon arrival at the emergency room, immediate interventions addressed hypovolemic shock, followed by subsequent neurosurgical and orthopedic procedures. Six days after cessation of sedation, the patient exhibited atypical focal seizures, behavioral arrest, psychotic responses, and delusions. Despite normal brain magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis results, a high CSF immunoglobulin G index and posterior hypometabolism on brain F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography raised suspicion of autoimmune encephalitis. Steroids and intravenous immunoglobulins were administered. A comprehensive evaluation ruled out other conditions. Serum and CSF tests confirmed the presence of anti-NMDAR antibodies. This case highlights the potential lethality of the acute stage of anti-NMDARE, emphasizing the absence of apparent psychiatric symptoms before a suicide attempt. Further studies on suicidality associated with anti-NMDARE are crucial, underscoring the importance of vigilance in cases involving newly diagnosed seizures or psychoses.

Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis: Psychopathological Features and Clinical Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

A wide variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms are described during the acute phase of anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis (ANMDARE), including psychosis, mania, depression, and catatonia, but there are few reports on suicidal thought and behaviors in ANMDARE. To address this gap in the literature, the authors measured the presence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among a large cohort of Mexican patients diagnosed with definite ANMDARE.

METHODS

This observational and longitudinal study included patients with definite ANMDARE hospitalized at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Mexico between 2014 and 2021. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors were assessed before and after treatment by means of a clinical interview with relatives and a direct clinical assessment with each patient. Thoughts of engaging in suicide-related behavior and acts of suicidal and nonsuicidal self-directed violence before and during hospitalization were recorded.

RESULTS

From a total sample of 120 patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for definite ANMDARE, 15 patients (13%) had suicidal thoughts and behaviors during the acute phase of the disease. All 15 of these patients experienced psychosis and had suicidal ideation with intention. Three patients engaged in preparatory behaviors and seven carried out suicidal self-directed violence. Psychotic depression and impulsivity were more frequent among those patients with suicidal thoughts and behaviors than among those without any form of suicidality. Four patients engaged in self-directed violence during hospitalization. Remission was sustained in 14 of 15 patients, with suicidal ideation and self-directed violence persisting during follow-up in only one patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are not uncommon during the acute phase of ANMDARE. On the basis of our sample, the persistence of these features after immunotherapy is rare but may be observed. A targeted assessment of suicidal risk should be strongly considered in this population.

Cerebral gray matter volume changes in patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis: A voxel-based morphometry study

Background

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is an autoimmune disease with typical clinical features. Whether and how cerebral gray matter structural damage inherent to the disorder affects cognitive function in patients is still unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the changes in cerebral gray matter volume and whether these alterations contribute to cognitive impairment and mood disorders.

Methods

Forty patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and forty healthy controls (HCs) matched for gender, age, and education were recruited. All participants underwent attention network tests (ANT), neuropsychological tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Voxel-based morphological analysis (VBM) and correlation analysis was performed on all participants. Finally, according to the course of disease, patients were divided into two groups: NMDARE_SD (short duration; course ≤ 2 years since diagnosis) and NMDARE_LD (long duration; course >2 years since diagnosis), to evaluate gray matter volume changes that differ as a function of disease course.

Results

Compared to HCs, patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis showed decreased executive control ability and lower MoCA score, while increased anxiety and depression as reflected by HAMA and HAMD24 scores (all P < 0.05). In VBM analysis, patients showed decreased gray matter volume in bilateral thalamus, left medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC_L), left superior temporal gyrus (STG_L), and left rectus gyrus. In the analysis stratified by disease course, the NMDARE_LD group exhibited decreased gray matter volume in the left precuneus and right posterior cerebellar lobe compared to the NMDARE_SD group.

Conclusions

Patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis have cognitive, executive, and emotional dysfunction, and the sites of gray matter atrophy are concentrated in the thalamus, frontal lobe, and temporal lobe. These abnormalities may be involved in the process of cognitive and affective dysfunction.Patients with different courses of anti-NMDAR encephalitis have different brain atrophy sites. These results may help to clarify the contradiction between clinical and imaging manifestations of anti NMDAR encephalitis, which is worthy of further longitudinal studies.

Changes in laboratory mice after observation of deceased conspecifics: a pilot suicidality study in animals

PURPOSE

Suicidality can be a serious feature of psychiatric symptoms in encephalitis. Investigating the psychiatric behavior associated with suicidality in animal models of encephalitis is important; thus, determining whether normal laboratory animals are aware of death is necessary.

METHODS

To examine the behavioral and brain activity changes associated with death of conspecifics, laboratory mice were exposed to a cadaveric mouse or an anesthetized mouse. Behavioral tasks associated with anxiety and locomotion were conducted after repeated exposure. Neural activity in the medial prefrontal cortex during the cadaver exploration was investigated using electroencephalographic recordings.

RESULTS

During repeated exposure, mice in the cadaver group showed a gradual decrease in time exploring the cadaver, which was not observed in mice in the anesthesia group. The cadaver group also exhibited increased levels of anxiety in the light/dark transition and elevated plus maze tasks and displayed increased locomotor activity in the open field test. In an electrophysiological study, different brain oscillations were observed when mice were exposed to a cadaveric mouse and an anesthetized mouse. Enhanced delta-band activity and reduced theta- and alpha-band activities were observed during cadaver exploration.

CONCLUSION

The present study results showed that experiences involving dead conspecifics strongly affect mouse behavior and brain activity. These findings may be helpful in treating patients with psychiatric symptoms and aid in understanding the concept of death recognition/awareness in laboratory animals.

Relationship Between Serum NMDA Receptor Antibodies and Response to Antipsychotic Treatment in First-Episode Psychosis

BACKGROUND

When psychosis develops in NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antibody encephalitis, it usually has an acute or subacute onset, and antipsychotic treatment may be ineffective and associated with adverse effects. Serum NMDAR antibodies have been reported in a minority of patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP), but their role in psychosis onset and response to antipsychotic treatment is unclear.

METHODS

Sera from 387 patients with FEP (duration of psychosis <2 years, minimally or never treated with antipsychotics) undergoing initial treatment with amisulpride as part of the OPTiMiSE (Optimization of Treatment and Management of Schizophrenia in Europe) trial (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01248195) were tested for NMDAR IgG antibodies using a live cell-based assay. Symptom severity was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Clinical Global Impressions Scale at baseline and again after 4 weeks of treatment with amisulpride.

RESULTS

At baseline, 15 patients were seropositive for NMDAR antibodies and 372 were seronegative. The seropositive patients had similar symptom profiles and demographic features to seronegative patients but a shorter duration of psychosis (median 1.5 vs. 4.0 months; p = .031). Eleven seropositive and 284 seronegative patients completed 4 weeks of amisulpride treatment: after treatment, there was no between-groups difference in improvement in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores or in the frequency of adverse medication effects.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that in FEP, NMDAR antibody seropositivity alone is not an indication for using immunotherapy instead of antipsychotic medications. Further studies are required to establish what proportion of patients with FEP who are NMDAR antibody seropositive have coexisting cerebrospinal fluid inflammatory changes or other paraclinical evidence suggestive of a likely benefit from immunotherapy.

Bilateral thalamic changes in anti-NMDAR encephalitis presenting with hemichorea and dystonia and acute transient psychotic disorder

Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is one of the most common causes of autoimmune encephalitis. Both movement disorders and neuropsychiatric manifestations are considered core features of anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Strong clinical suspicion, along with NMDAR antibody positivity in paired sample of serum and cerebrospinal fluid, with supportive MRI changes clinch diagnosis in majority. We herein report a case of a middle-aged woman with subacute behavioral abnormalities, which were so severe that forced her to attempt suicide. Hemichorea and dystonia, which appeared later in course, are not previously reported movement disorders in combination in anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Further, magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral thalamic hyperintensities with diffusion restriction, which are in turn not described in this entity. After amalgamation of history, especially the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms, clinical features, physical examination, and investigations, the diagnosis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis could be established. Our case not only highlights that the combination of hemichorea and dystonia can be features of anti-NMDAR encephalitis, but adds novelty by bilateral symmetric thalamic changes.

Analysis of Risk Factors for a Poor Prognosis in Patients with Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis and Construction of a Prognostic Composite Score

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is the most-common form of autoimmune encephalitis, but its early diagnosis is challenging. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for a poor prognosis in anti-NMDAR encephalitis and construct a prognostic composite score for obtaining earlier predictions of a poor prognosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data, laboratory indexes, imaging findings, and electroencephalogram (EEG) data of 60 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores of patients were collected when they were discharged from the hospital. The mRS scores were used to divide the patients into two groups, with mRS scores of 3-6 defined as a poor prognosis. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze independent risk factors related to a poor prognosis.

RESULTS

This study found that 23 (38.3%) and 37 (61.7%) patients had good and poor prognoses, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, disturbance of consciousness at admission, and ≥50% slow waves on the EEG were significantly associated with patient outcomes. An age, consciousness, and slow waves (ACS) composite score was constructed to predict the prognosis of patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis at an early stage based on regression coefficients.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, disturbance of consciousness at admission, and ≥50% slow waves on the EEG were independent risk factors for a poor prognosis. The ACS prognostic composite score could play a role in facilitating early predictions of the prognosis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis.

Autoimmune psychosis: an international consensus on an approach to the diagnosis and management of psychosis of suspected autoimmune origin

There is increasing recognition in the neurological and psychiatric literature of patients with so-called isolated psychotic presentations (ie, with no, or minimal, neurological features) who have tested positive for neuronal autoantibodies (principally N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibodies) and who have responded to immunotherapies. Although these individuals are sometimes described as having atypical, mild, or attenuated forms of autoimmune encephalitis, some authors feel that that these cases are sufficiently different from typical autoimmune encephalitis to establish a new category of so-called autoimmune psychosis. We briefly review the background, discuss the existing evidence for a form of autoimmune psychosis, and propose a novel, conservative approach to the recognition of possible, probable, and definite autoimmune psychoses for use in psychiatric practice. We also outline the investigations required and the appropriate therapeutic approaches, both psychiatric and immunological, for probable and definite cases of autoimmune psychoses, and discuss the ethical issues posed by this challenging diagnostic category.

Are We Missing Subtle Forms of Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Encephalitis With the Current Diagnostic Approach? A Case Report

Encephalitis related to antibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) is a recently described clinical entity in which IgG autoantibodies against the NR1 subunit of the NMDAr lead to the appearance of complex neuropsychiatric symptoms. As psychiatric symptoms predominate in early stages, anti-NMDAr encephalitis is frequently mistaken as a primary psychiatric disorder which delays treatment and has serious consequences for patients. This report presents the case of a 24-year-old woman with a subacute onset of psychotic and catatonic symptoms in whom current diagnostic criteria for probable anti-NMDAr encephalitis were not fulfilled. On the basis of the red flags that have been proposed to raise suspicion of anti-NMDAr encephalitis, a study of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was requested and demonstrated bilateral occipital hypometabolism consistent with clinical suspicion of anti-NMDAr encephalitis. Once the appropriate treatment was established, the patient recovered completely. This case supports the need to maintain clinical suspicion of anti-NMDAr encephalitis, even when conventional diagnostic tests have been normal. Psychiatrists should be familiar with this entity to promote timely diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Commentary on "Are We Missing Subtle Forms of Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Encephalitis With the Current Diagnostic Approach? A Case Report"

Encephalitis related to antibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) is a recently described clinical entity in which IgG autoantibodies against the NR1 subunit of the NMDAr lead to the appearance of complex neuropsychiatric symptoms. As psychiatric symptoms predominate in early stages, anti-NMDAr encephalitis is frequently mistaken as a primary psychiatric disorder which delays treatment and has serious consequences for patients. This report presents the case of a 24-year-old woman with a subacute onset of psychotic and catatonic symptoms in whom current diagnostic criteria for probable anti-NMDAr encephalitis were not fulfilled. On the basis of the red flags that have been proposed to raise suspicion of anti-NMDAr encephalitis, a study of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was requested and demonstrated bilateral occipital hypometabolism consistent with clinical suspicion of anti-NMDAr encephalitis. Once the appropriate treatment was established, the patient recovered completely. This case supports the need to maintain clinical suspicion of anti-NMDAr encephalitis, even when conventional diagnostic tests have been normal. Psychiatrists should be familiar with this entity to promote timely diagnosis and prompt treatment.