Zuzana Dean
The term autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is used to describe a relatively new group of disorders characterised by
symptoms of limbic and extra-limbic dysfunction occurring in association with antibodies against synaptic antigens
and proteins localised on the neuronal cell surface.
In recent years there has been a rapidly expanding knowledge of these syndromes, growing availability of tests for new
antibodies, and expanding research into their pathogenic mechanisms. Since many patients respond well to immunosuppressive
treatment and the conditons are often paraneoplastic, the recognition of these disorders is of utmost
importance.
This article deals with the classification of these disorders based on the type of antibody, focuses on recent clinical
advances and treatment approaches.