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Abstract
Investigations during the last 10 years have revealed a group of disorders mediated by antibodies against ion channels and synaptic receptors, which cause both neurologic and psychiatric symptoms. In this review, I discuss the process of discovery and immunologic triggers of these disorders, and use anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis to emphasize the importance of understanding the underlying physiopathologic mechanisms in those diseases. A better knowledge of these mechanisms reveals points of convergence with other disorders (e.g., schizophrenia), suggests treatment strategies beyond immunotherapy, and is helping us understand how memories are formed and retrieved.
GLOSSARY
- BBB=
- blood–brain barrier;
- EphB2=
- Ephrin type B2 receptor;
- FLAIR=
- fluid-attenuated inversion recovery;
- HSE=
- herpes simplex encephalitis;
- IgG=
- immunoglobulin G;
- LEMS=
- Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome;
- LTP=
- long-term potentiation;
- NMDAR=
- NMDA receptor
Footnotes
Go to Neurology.org for full disclosures. Funding information and disclosures deemed relevant by the author, if any, are provided at the end of the article.
- Received July 10, 2016.
- Accepted in final form September 6, 2016.
- © 2016 American Academy of Neurology
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