Autoimmune Encephalitis

Abstract

Encephalitis is a disorder of devastating consequences and is characterised by cerebral inflammation manifesting as altered level of consciousness, cognitive dysfunction and seizures associated with fever, headache and focal neurological signs. The discovery that several forms of encephalitis result from autoantibodies that are potentially treatable has led to a paradigm shift in the diagnostic approach of encephalitis. While early immune intervention of autoimmune encephalitis ensures a good outcome, delay in appropriate treatment leads to irreversible cognitive deficits. Thus, autoimmune encephalitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of all types of encephalitides.