Limbic encephalitis represents a cluster of autoimmune disorders, with inflammation in the medial temporal lobe characterised by the subacute onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, affective symptoms, psy...Limbic encephalitis represents a cluster of autoimmune disorders, with inflammation in the medial temporal lobe characterised by the subacute onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, affective symptoms, psychosis, short-term memory impairment, as well as faciobrachial and grand mal seizures. The limbic system is a complex anatomical structure which this paper seeks to explain in terms of its anatomy and physiology, before exploring what happens when it is impaired as is the case of autoimmune and limbic encephalitis. We will discuss the pathophysiology, clinical symptomatology and diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis, a cluster of symptoms which can be easily overlooked or misdiagnosed within psychiatric settings. Characteristic indicators of autoimmune encephalitis include neurologic symptoms such as facial twitching, seizures, confusion, and cognitive decline;however, our experience realises that autoimmune encephalitis is not easy to identify as most patients initially present with psychiatric symptomatology rather than these neurological symptoms. Furthermore, immunological and laboratory testing take a long time to diagnose the condition. Importantly, few psychiatrists consider the autoimmune nature of the neuropsychiatric presentation. It is hence vital to consider autoimmune encephalitis in all patients with atypical presentations.展开更多
文摘Limbic encephalitis represents a cluster of autoimmune disorders, with inflammation in the medial temporal lobe characterised by the subacute onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, affective symptoms, psychosis, short-term memory impairment, as well as faciobrachial and grand mal seizures. The limbic system is a complex anatomical structure which this paper seeks to explain in terms of its anatomy and physiology, before exploring what happens when it is impaired as is the case of autoimmune and limbic encephalitis. We will discuss the pathophysiology, clinical symptomatology and diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis, a cluster of symptoms which can be easily overlooked or misdiagnosed within psychiatric settings. Characteristic indicators of autoimmune encephalitis include neurologic symptoms such as facial twitching, seizures, confusion, and cognitive decline;however, our experience realises that autoimmune encephalitis is not easy to identify as most patients initially present with psychiatric symptomatology rather than these neurological symptoms. Furthermore, immunological and laboratory testing take a long time to diagnose the condition. Importantly, few psychiatrists consider the autoimmune nature of the neuropsychiatric presentation. It is hence vital to consider autoimmune encephalitis in all patients with atypical presentations.
