Application of the APE2 Scale in patients with Autoimmune Encephalitis treated at the National lnstitute of Neurological Sciences in 2018-2024

Autoimmune Encephalitis (AE) is a severe condition where the body’s immune system attacks the brain. lt can cause seizures, memory loss, and even death. The definitive diagnosis relies on finding specific antibodies in the blood or spinal fluid. ln Peru, and other countries with limited resources, these antibody tests are often very expensive or unavailable, leading to long delays in diagnosis. When treatment (immunotherapy) is delayed, patients often face much worse long-term outcomes.

To solve this problem, we are studying a simple clinical scoring system called APE2 (Antibody prevalence in Epilepsy and Encephalopathy). This score uses basic information that doctors already collect {like symptoms and routine scans) to quickly estimate the likelihood of AE.

What We Will Do? We are conducting a study at the National Institute of Neurological Sciences (INCN) to check if the APE2 score works as accurately for Peruvian patients as it does in other parts of the world. We will look back at patient records from 2018-2024 to see if the score correctly identified patients who ultimately received an AE diagnosis.

The Impact: If our research confirms that the APE2 score is reliable, we can recommend its use across the country. This will give doctors a fast, low-cost tool to start life-saving immunotherapy much sooner, even before expensive antibody results are available. Ultimately, this project aims to close the diagnostic gap and significantly improve the recovery and quality of life for AE patents in Peru.