Autoimmune Encephalitis | Encephalitis International

Autoimmune encephalitis

Some types of autoimmune encephalitis which is where the immune system is attacking the brain, such as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), are caused by infection in which case the term ‘post-infectious encephalitis’ is used.

Other forms of autoimmune encephalitis are associated with finding specific antibodies in blood such as VGKC complex (anti-LGI1 and Caspr2), NMDA receptor, GAD, AMPAR and GABA antibodies.

Antibodies, also called immunoglobulins, are large Y-shaped proteins which identify and help remove foreign antigens such as viruses and bacteria. The reason why these antibodies are produced by the immune system in people with autoimmune encephalitis is not known in most cases. Sometimes a tumour (benign or cancerous) may generate the antibody.