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Zhang Z, Fan S, Ren H, Zhou L, Guan H. Clinical characteristics and prognosis of anti-alpha-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4-Isoxazolepropionic acid receptor encephalitis. BMC Neurol 2021; 21:490. [PMID: 34915865 PMCID: PMC8678635 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-021-02520-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Encephalitis associated with antibodies against alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) is an extremely rare type of antibody-mediated encephalitis. This research aims to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of anti-AMPAR encephalitis. METHODS This retrospective study enrolled nine patients with anti-AMPAR encephalitis. Demographic information, clinical manifestations, laboratory and radiological findings, treatment and response were collected and analyzed. These patients were followed up with an average period of 72 weeks to gather prognostic information. RESULTS Nine patients (7 females and 2 males) were enrolled with a mean age at disease onset of 59 years old. Three clinical pictures, including limbic encephalitis (n = 7; 78%), pure amnesia (n = 1; 11%) and fulminant encephalitis (n = 1; 11%) were identified. New symptoms of dysphagia and deafness were identified in the clinical spectrum of anti-AMPAR encephalitis. All patients had positive blood AMPAR antibodies, and six of them (67%) had paired positive antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was abnormal in 75% of the patients with no specific patterns recognized. Six patients (67%) had tumors, including lung cancers and thymomas. After immunotherapy and oncotherapy, partial improvement of neurological symptoms was observed among all 6 patients with available records during their hospitalization. After a mean follow-up of 72 weeks, 3 patients had marked decrease of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, 1 patient had unchanged mRS score, 4 patients died and the other one was lost. CONCLUSIONS Anti-AMPAR encephalitis mainly presents as limbic encephalitis, and is paraneoplastic in 67% of cases. Thus, intensive screening for tumors is recommended for all anti-AMPAR patients. Although patients showed a good short-term therapeutic response, the overall prognosis was not satisfactory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing and Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Siyuan Fan
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing and Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Haitao Ren
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing and Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Lixin Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing and Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Hongzhi Guan
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing and Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Zhang TY, Cai MT, Zheng Y, Lai QL, Shen CH, Qiao S, Zhang YX. Anti-Alpha-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4-Isoxazolepropionic Acid Receptor Encephalitis: A Review. Front Immunol 2021; 12:652820. [PMID: 34093540 PMCID: PMC8175895 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.652820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) encephalitis, a rare subtype of autoimmune encephalitis, was first reported by Lai et al. The AMPAR antibodies target against extracellular epitopes of the GluA1 or GluA2 subunits of the receptor. AMPARs are expressed throughout the central nervous system, especially in the hippocampus and other limbic regions. Anti-AMPAR encephalitis was more common in middle-aged women and most patients had an acute or subacute onset. Limbic encephalitis, a classic syndrome of anti-AMPAR encephalitis, was clinically characterized by a subacute disturbance of short-term memory loss, confusion, abnormal behavior and seizure. Magnetic resonance imaging often showed T2/fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery hyperintensities in the bilateral medial temporal lobe. For suspected patients, paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing with cell-based assay were recommended. CSF specimen was preferred given its higher sensitivity. Most patients with anti-AMPAR encephalitis were complicated with tumors, such as thymoma, small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. First-line treatments included high-dose steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange. Second-line treatments, including rituximab and cyclophosphamide, can be initiated in patients who were non-reactive to first-line treatment. Most patients with anti-AMPAR encephalitis showed a partial neurologic response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Yi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meng-Ting Cai
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital School of Medicine Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital School of Medicine Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi-Lun Lai
- Department of Neurology, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chun-Hong Shen
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital School of Medicine Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Song Qiao
- Department of Neurology, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yin-Xi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital School of Medicine Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Laurido-Soto O, Brier MR, Simon LE, McCullough A, Bucelli RC, Day GS. Patient characteristics and outcome associations in AMPA receptor encephalitis. J Neurol 2019; 266:450-460. [PMID: 30560455 PMCID: PMC6367044 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-018-9153-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Antibody-mediated encephalitis defines a class of diseases wherein antibodies directed at cell-surface receptors are associated with behavioral and cognitive disturbances. One such recently described encephalitis is due to antibodies directed at alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPAR). This entity is exceptionally rare and its clinical phenotype incompletely described. We present findings from two cases of AMPAR encephalitis that exemplify variability in the disease spectrum, and summarize findings in published cases derived from a systematic literature review. When all patients are considered together, the presence of psychiatric symptoms at presentation portended a poor outcome and was associated with the presence of a tumor. Furthermore, we provide evidence to suggest that the topography of magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities in reported cases mirrors the distribution of AMPARs in the human brain. The potential for neurological improvement following immunomodulatory therapy together with the favorable outcome reported in most cases emphasizes the importance of testing for autoantibodies against neuronal cell-surface proteins, including AMPAR, in patients with clinical and neuroimaging findings suggestive of autoimmune encephalitis. Close attention to the clinical phenotype may inform the presence of malignancy and long-term prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osvaldo Laurido-Soto
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Matthew R Brier
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Laura E Simon
- Bernard Becker Medical Library, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Austin McCullough
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Robert C Bucelli
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Gregory S Day
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
- Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, 4488 Forest Park Avenue, Saint Louis, MO, 63108, USA.
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Kelleher E, Barry H, Cotter DR, Corvin A, Murphy KC. Autoantibodies and Psychosis. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2019; 44:85-123. [PMID: 31292938 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2019_90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Research into antibody-mediated disease, in response to immune dysfunction or to tumour development, has rapidly expanded in recent years. Antibodies binding to neuroreceptors can cause psychiatric features, including psychosis, in a minority of patients as well as neurological features. The responsiveness of some of these cases to immunotherapy supports the hypothesis that antibody-associated mechanisms play a role in the pathogenesis of psychotic diseases. The purpose of this chapter is to review autoantibodies that are most likely to be relevant for patients with psychotic symptoms. Herein, we describe receptor structure and mechanism of action, clinical and psychiatric features for the growing number of neuronal surface antibodies, including those to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The identification of a subgroup of patients with psychiatric features having antibody-mediated disease highlights the importance of considering the diagnosis, particularly in those patients presenting with a first episode of psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Kelleher
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Helen Barry
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David R Cotter
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aiden Corvin
- Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kieran C Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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Samad N, Wong J. Anti-AMPA receptor encephalitis associated with Medullary thyroid cancer. BMJ Case Rep 2018; 2018:bcr-2018-225745. [PMID: 30150348 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2018-225745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
AMPA receptor (AMPAR) antibodies are a group of recently discovered antibodies which target the neuronal synaptic proteins causing B-cell (immune) mediated neuronal damage, resulting in various neurologic syndromes depending on the area of central nervous system involvement. These syndromes are mostly reversible if treated early. Tumour association has been reported in up to 60% of cases in the most recent case series with lung, breast, ovarian cancers and thymomas being the most commonly associated malignancies with these antibodies. We present here the first case of AMPAR encephalitis associated with medullary thyroid cancer. Our patient presented with cognitive dysfunction and behavioural changes over a period of 3 weeks, with a full recovery after starting immunotherapy, once the diagnosis of AMPAR limbic encephalitis was established. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and management of AMPAR encephalitis as these patients respond well to immunotherapy and can have an almost complete recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navira Samad
- Department of Endocrinology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer Wong
- Department of Endocrinology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Autoimmune encephalitis and psychiatric disorders. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2018; 174:228-236. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Pollak TA, Beck K, Irani SR, Howes OD, David AS, McGuire PK. Autoantibodies to central nervous system neuronal surface antigens: psychiatric symptoms and psychopharmacological implications. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:1605-21. [PMID: 26667479 PMCID: PMC4828500 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4156-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Autoantibodies to central nervous system (CNS) neuronal surface antigens have been described in association with autoimmune encephalopathies which prominently feature psychiatric symptoms in addition to neurological symptoms. The potential role of these autoantibodies in primary psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder is of increasing interest. OBJECTIVES We aimed to review the nature of psychiatric symptoms associated with neuronal surface autoantibodies, in the context of autoimmune encephalopathies as well as primary psychiatric disorders, and to review the mechanisms of action of these autoantibodies from a psychopharmacological perspective. RESULTS The functional effects of the autoantibodies on their target antigens are described; their clinical expression is at least in part mediated by their effects on neuronal receptor function, primarily at the synapse, usually resulting in receptor hypofunction. The psychiatric effects of the antibodies are related to known functions of the receptor target or its complexed proteins, with reference to supportive genetic and pharmacological evidence where relevant. Evidence for a causal role of these autoantibodies in primary psychiatric disease is increasing but remains controversial; relevant methodological controversies are outlined. Non-receptor-based mechanisms of autoantibody action, including neuroinflammatory mechanisms, and therapeutic implications are discussed. CONCLUSIONS An analysis of the autoantibodies from a psychopharmacological perspective, as endogenous, bioactive, highly specific, receptor-targeting molecules, provides a valuable opportunity to understand the neurobiological basis of associated psychiatric symptoms. Potentially, new treatment strategies will emerge from the improving understanding of antibody-antigen interaction within the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Pollak
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's Health Partners, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
| | - K Beck
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's Health Partners, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - S R Irani
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - O D Howes
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's Health Partners, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - A S David
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's Health Partners, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - P K McGuire
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's Health Partners, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK
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Nosadini M, Mohammad SS, Ramanathan S, Brilot F, Dale RC. Immune therapy in autoimmune encephalitis: a systematic review. Expert Rev Neurother 2015; 15:1391-419. [DOI: 10.1586/14737175.2015.1115720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Dalmau J. The first anniversary issue. NEUROLOGY-NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2015; 2:e137. [PMID: 26280012 PMCID: PMC4529281 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000000137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Josep Dalmau
- Biomedical Research Institute August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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