Materiały źródłowe

• #1 Autoimmune epilepsy – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20576892

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a type of epilepsy where seizures are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking brain cells. […] Antiseizure medicines usually don’t do enough to manage seizures in people with autoimmune epilepsy. Instead, immunotherapy medicines help reduce the immune response on the brain. […] When immunotherapy is started early, it can reduce inflammation and improve seizures. For some people, treatment can stop seizures completely. For others, seizures may continue after treatment. […] Autoimmune epilepsy is caused by the immune system attacking brain cells and leading to seizures. […] Autoimmune epilepsy complications can include serious seizures that last more than five minutes or occur one after another. The person isn’t conscious in between the seizures. These serious seizures are known as status epilepticus. They need emergency medical attention.

• #2 Autoimmune epilepsy | Beacon Health System

  https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy?content_id=CON-20573820

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a type of epilepsy where seizures are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking brain cells. […] Antiseizure medicines usually don’t do enough to manage seizures in people with autoimmune epilepsy. Instead, immunotherapy medicines help reduce the immune response on the brain. […] When immunotherapy is started early, it can reduce inflammation and improve seizures. […] Autoimmune epilepsy is caused by the immune system attacking brain cells and leading to seizures. […] Autoimmune epilepsy treatment differs from the treatment used for other types of epilepsy. Healthcare professionals use immunotherapy to reduce the immune system activity and treat seizures. […] If cancer is the cause of autoimmune epilepsy, treating the cancer is an important part of treatment.

• #3 Uncovering the Mysteries and Multidisciplinary Care for Autoimmune Epilepsy Patients | UNM Health Blog | Albuquerque, New Mexico

  https://unmhealth.org/stories/2024/02/autoimmune-epilepsy-patients.html

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a disease in our bodys own immune system, which usually protect us, but instead attacks our brain, resulting in sudden seizures that often present as being refractory and associated with other neurological and psychiatric comorbidity. […] In our epilepsy clinic, we also offer dedicated multidisciplinary care for patients with autoimmune epilepsy and support for families. […] Most patients with autoimmune epilepsy need ongoing care, with follow-up visits every two to four months with ongoing chemotherapy or immune suppression treatments. The team involved with this specialized care includes an autoimmune epilepsy faculty and a range of providers, such as: […] We also make referral to appropriate teams, including: […] If you or your loved one has refractory epilepsy or autoimmune epilepsy, please contact the UNM HSC neurology clinic at 505-272-3160.

• #4 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://www.thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a newly emerging area of epilepsy. […] Autoimmune epilepsy presents with specific clinical manifestations, and various diagnostic approaches including cerebrospinal fluid analysis, neuroimaging, and autoantibody tests are essential for its differential diagnosis. […] The diagnosis is often indeterminate despite performing a thorough evaluation, and therefore empirical immunotherapy may be applied according to the judgment of the clinician. […] Autoimmune epilepsy often manifests as new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE). […] A patient classified as NORSE should receive empirical immunotherapy as soon as possible. […] On the other hand, a more cautious, stepwise approach is recommended for autoimmune epilepsy that presents with episodic events. […] The type of autoimmune epilepsy is also an important factor to consider when choosing from among various immunotherapy options.

• #5 Antibody Prevalence in Epilepsy and Encephalopathy (APE2) Score – Insights

  https://news.mayocliniclabs.com/2019/10/21/antibody-prevalence-in-epilepsy-and-encephalopathy-ape2-score/

  Autoimmune encephalitis and autoimmune epilepsy were once considered extremely rare, but lately this perception has changed. A considerable proportion of these cases have neural-specific antibody biomarkers. […] We have noticed similar trends among patients with epilepsy of unknown etiology. Nearly 15–20% of patients with cryptogenic epilepsies with or without other features of encephalitis have serological biomarkers suggestive of an autoimmune etiology. […] Interestingly, patients found to be seropositive and subsequently treated with immunotherapy had a considerably better outcome compared to patients who continued to have epilepsy of unknown etiology and were treated symptomatically with anti-seizure medications. […] An APE2 score of more than or equal to four performed well as a predictor of neural autoantibody positivity. […] To conclude, APE2 scoring is a useful predictive model based on clinical criteria, which can aid in diagnosis and management of autoimmune epilepsy and encephalopathy.

• #6 Identification and Treatment of Autoimmune Epilepsy – Contemporary Advances in Epilepsy

  https://www.medpagetoday.com/resource-centers/contemporary-advances-epilepsy/identification-and-treatment-autoimmune-epilepsy/2088

  Among the one-third of adults with epilepsy of unknown etiology, an autoimmune cause appears to be the potential culprit in at least 20% of cases, according to new research published by Divyanshu Dubey, MD, and colleagues in JAMA Neurology. […] To aid clinicians in identifying individuals with autoimmune epilepsy, which does not respond to standard antiepileptic therapy, the study investigators devised an antibody prevalence in epilepsy (APE) score useful for predicting positive serologic findings. […] Moreover, the investigators showed that seropositive patients exhibited favorable responses to immunomodulatory therapy. […] Patients with autoimmune-induced seizures tend to have recalcitrant disease that does not respond to antiepileptic drugs. […] Accurately diagnosing these individuals not only helps avoid unnecessary therapy, but also offers the opportunity to treat patients with immunomodulatory therapies that have been shown to offer benefit, such as corticosteroids and intravenous immune globulin.

• #7 Unraveling Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://www.neurologylive.com/view/unraveling-autoimmune-epilepsy

  Autoimmune epilepsy is essentially a seizure disorder where a neural-specific antibody is present, may be pathogenic, and may cause seizures, said Lindsay Higdon, MD, a neurologist and epilepsy specialist at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. […] One of the main hallmarks of autoimmune epilepsy is that it is generally resistant to antiepileptic drugs. In a systematic review of 6 studies that included 169 patients with autoimmune epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs were effective in only 10.7% of cases. […] Once the cause is known, it makes sense to treat autoimmune epilepsy just like other autoimmune diseases by modulating the immune system. Along with antiepileptic drugs, we use either steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), or plasma exchange, Higdon said. […] Many patients with autoimmune epilepsy can be successfully managed if a proper algorithm is followed, such as the one suggested by Higdon. The first step, when you deal with a patient who has epilepsy of unknown origin, is to apply the APE score. If it is greater than 4, neural antibody testing should be carried out, Higdon said. Immunotherapy should ideally be initiated even before the antibody test results are received, either with steroids or IVIG.

• #8 Identification and Treatment of Autoimmune Epilepsy – Contemporary Advances in Epilepsy

  https://www.medpagetoday.com/resource-centers/contemporary-advances-epilepsy/identification-and-treatment-autoimmune-epilepsy/2088

  Among the one-third of adults with epilepsy of unknown etiology, an autoimmune cause appears to be the potential culprit in at least 20% of cases, according to new research published by Divyanshu Dubey, MD, and colleagues in JAMA Neurology. […] To aid clinicians in identifying individuals with autoimmune epilepsy, which does not respond to standard antiepileptic therapy, the study investigators devised an antibody prevalence in epilepsy (APE) score useful for predicting positive serologic findings. […] Moreover, the investigators showed that seropositive patients exhibited favorable responses to immunomodulatory therapy. […] Patients with autoimmune-induced seizures tend to have recalcitrant disease that does not respond to antiepileptic drugs. […] Accurately diagnosing these individuals not only helps avoid unnecessary therapy, but also offers the opportunity to treat patients with immunomodulatory therapies that have been shown to offer benefit, such as corticosteroids and intravenous immune globulin.

• #9 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  Approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy do not achieve seizure freedom despite medical therapy, and the etiology of many epilepsies remains unknown. Treatment of immunologic epilepsy includes targeted immunotherapies in combination with antiepileptic drugs. Currently, no strict diagnostic guidelines exist for autoimmune epilepsy. This article seeks to provide a basic clinical approach to diagnosis and treatment. […] Patients with autoimmune epilepsy can present with anything from a simple seizure to a limbic encephalitis presentation, and there are syndrome-specific and atypical presentations as well. Patients with autoimmune epilepsy typically have multifocal seizures with an unusually high (ie, daily or weekly) seizure frequency at onset and can also present in nonconvulsive status epilepticus. They often have antiepileptic drug (AED) resistance at onset that may be categorized as new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE).

• #10 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  Approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy do not achieve seizure freedom despite medical therapy, and the etiology of many epilepsies remains unknown. Treatment of immunologic epilepsy includes targeted immunotherapies in combination with antiepileptic drugs. Currently, no strict diagnostic guidelines exist for autoimmune epilepsy. This article seeks to provide a basic clinical approach to diagnosis and treatment. […] Patients with autoimmune epilepsy can present with anything from a simple seizure to a limbic encephalitis presentation, and there are syndrome-specific and atypical presentations as well. Patients with autoimmune epilepsy typically have multifocal seizures with an unusually high (ie, daily or weekly) seizure frequency at onset and can also present in nonconvulsive status epilepticus. They often have antiepileptic drug (AED) resistance at onset that may be categorized as new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE).

• #11 Clinical Approach to Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7541993/

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a newly emerging area of epilepsy. The concept of autoimmune as an etiology has recently been revisited thanks to advances in autoimmune encephalitis and precision medicine with immunotherapies. Autoimmune epilepsy presents with specific clinical manifestations, and various diagnostic approaches including cerebrospinal fluid analysis, neuroimaging, and autoantibody tests are essential for its differential diagnosis. The diagnosis is often indeterminate despite performing a thorough evaluation, and therefore empirical immunotherapy may be applied according to the judgment of the clinician. Autoimmune epilepsy often manifests as new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE). A patient classified as NORSE should receive empirical immunotherapy as soon as possible. On the other hand, a more cautious, stepwise approach is recommended for autoimmune epilepsy that presents with episodic events. The type of autoimmune epilepsy is also an important factor to consider when choosing from among various immunotherapy options. Clinicians should additionally take the characteristics of antiepileptic drugs into account when using them as an adjuvant therapy. This expert opinion discusses the diagnostic and treatment approaches for autoimmune epilepsy from a practical point of view.

• #12 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://www.thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a newly emerging area of epilepsy. […] Autoimmune epilepsy presents with specific clinical manifestations, and various diagnostic approaches including cerebrospinal fluid analysis, neuroimaging, and autoantibody tests are essential for its differential diagnosis. […] The diagnosis is often indeterminate despite performing a thorough evaluation, and therefore empirical immunotherapy may be applied according to the judgment of the clinician. […] Autoimmune epilepsy often manifests as new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE). […] A patient classified as NORSE should receive empirical immunotherapy as soon as possible. […] On the other hand, a more cautious, stepwise approach is recommended for autoimmune epilepsy that presents with episodic events. […] The type of autoimmune epilepsy is also an important factor to consider when choosing from among various immunotherapy options.

• #13 Autoimmune Epilepsy Clinic

  https://med.uth.edu/neurology/multiple-sclerosis/autoimmune-epilepsy-clinic/

  This multidisciplinary clinic provides care for patients with seizures secondary to autoimmune encephalitis (AE). […] Autoimmune encephalitis can cause seizures, by direct or indirect of immune system on brain. Often times these seizures continue as long as inflammatory process continues in the brain. Less frequently, these seizures continue even when inflammatory process has subsided, at which point it is called autoimmune Epilepsy. […] Sudden onset of frequent seizures in a person without predisposing brain lesions, personal or family history of seizures needs evaluation for immune-related seizures. These seizures tend to respond poorly to anti-seizure medicine. […] When seizures happen secondary to an autoimmune process, we need to address both seizures and the inflammatory process. Depending on etiology, seizures secondary to autoimmune process can be hard to manage and may require long-term medical treatment.

• #14 Autoimmune Epilepsy Clinic

  https://med.uth.edu/neurology/multiple-sclerosis/autoimmune-epilepsy-clinic/

  This multidisciplinary clinic provides care for patients with seizures secondary to autoimmune encephalitis (AE). […] Autoimmune encephalitis can cause seizures, by direct or indirect of immune system on brain. Often times these seizures continue as long as inflammatory process continues in the brain. Less frequently, these seizures continue even when inflammatory process has subsided, at which point it is called autoimmune Epilepsy. […] Sudden onset of frequent seizures in a person without predisposing brain lesions, personal or family history of seizures needs evaluation for immune-related seizures. These seizures tend to respond poorly to anti-seizure medicine. […] When seizures happen secondary to an autoimmune process, we need to address both seizures and the inflammatory process. Depending on etiology, seizures secondary to autoimmune process can be hard to manage and may require long-term medical treatment.

• #15 Autoimmune Diseases That Cause Seizures: A Comprehensive Guide | Maggie Yu MD, IFMCP

  https://drmaggieyu.com/blog/autoimmune-diseases-that-cause-seizures-a-comprehensive-guide/

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a distinct condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain, leading to seizures. Unlike other forms of epilepsy that might stem from genetic or unknown causes, this type specifically involves the bodys defense mechanisms turning against neural tissues. […] Patients with autoimmune epilepsy often present with seizures that do not respond well to traditional antiepileptic drugs. This resistance suggests an underlying immune-related cause rather than a purely neurological issue. […] In autoimmune epilepsy, autoantibodies play a crucial role. These are immune proteins that target the brains own cells, causing inflammation and damage. This process disrupts normal neural function, leading to epileptic seizures. […] Inflammation within the brain is another hallmark of autoimmune epilepsy. It not only contributes to seizure occurrence but also affects overall brain health. MRI scans often reveal inflammatory changes in patients brains, providing a visual confirmation of the diseases impact.

• #16 Autoimmune Epilepsy: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

  https://www.healthline.com/health/epilepsy/autoimmune-epilepsy

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a newly defined group of conditions characterized by recurrent seizures associated with autoimmunity. […] Autoimmune epilepsy develops when your immune system attacks healthy brain tissue. The underlying cause is not fully known. […] The main treatment for autoimmune epilepsy is a combination of anti-epileptic drugs to stop seizures and immunotherapy to reduce inflammation in your brain. […] An early initiation of immunotherapy is associated with a favorable outcome. It may improve your outlook and reduce serious complications. […] People with cancer-related autoimmune epilepsy generally have worse outcomes than people who develop autoimmune epilepsy with other underlying causes.

• #17 Autoimmune Diseases That Cause Seizures: A Comprehensive Guide | Maggie Yu MD, IFMCP

  https://drmaggieyu.com/blog/autoimmune-diseases-that-cause-seizures-a-comprehensive-guide/

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a distinct condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain, leading to seizures. Unlike other forms of epilepsy that might stem from genetic or unknown causes, this type specifically involves the bodys defense mechanisms turning against neural tissues. […] Patients with autoimmune epilepsy often present with seizures that do not respond well to traditional antiepileptic drugs. This resistance suggests an underlying immune-related cause rather than a purely neurological issue. […] In autoimmune epilepsy, autoantibodies play a crucial role. These are immune proteins that target the brains own cells, causing inflammation and damage. This process disrupts normal neural function, leading to epileptic seizures. […] Inflammation within the brain is another hallmark of autoimmune epilepsy. It not only contributes to seizure occurrence but also affects overall brain health. MRI scans often reveal inflammatory changes in patients brains, providing a visual confirmation of the diseases impact.

• #18 Management of Autoimmune Status Epilepticus

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5954092/

  There is a broad range of auto antigens in autoimmune encephalopathies with seizures both among those with intracellular antigens and surface antigens. […] These autoimmune epilepsies are seen in patients with antibodies to intracellular antigens and surface antigens; however, there is potential for reversal with immunotherapy, and early treatment has shown a general rate of improved survival and cognition. […] In terms of treatment, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive treatments, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), etc., assume that inflammation is the underlying cause of SE in patients. […] Despite controversy as to the exact mechanisms, limited clinical data suggest patients with known or suspected autoimmune encephalitis may still benefit from immunotherapy. […] Early implementation of immunomodulatory treatment may play a role for survival and better cognitive functions.

• #19 Clinical Approach to Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7541993/

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a newly emerging area of epilepsy. The concept of autoimmune as an etiology has recently been revisited thanks to advances in autoimmune encephalitis and precision medicine with immunotherapies. Autoimmune epilepsy presents with specific clinical manifestations, and various diagnostic approaches including cerebrospinal fluid analysis, neuroimaging, and autoantibody tests are essential for its differential diagnosis. The diagnosis is often indeterminate despite performing a thorough evaluation, and therefore empirical immunotherapy may be applied according to the judgment of the clinician. Autoimmune epilepsy often manifests as new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE). A patient classified as NORSE should receive empirical immunotherapy as soon as possible. On the other hand, a more cautious, stepwise approach is recommended for autoimmune epilepsy that presents with episodic events. The type of autoimmune epilepsy is also an important factor to consider when choosing from among various immunotherapy options. Clinicians should additionally take the characteristics of antiepileptic drugs into account when using them as an adjuvant therapy. This expert opinion discusses the diagnostic and treatment approaches for autoimmune epilepsy from a practical point of view.

• #20 Biomarkers for epileptogenesis in patients with autoimmune epilepsy

  https://www.oaepublish.com/articles/2347-8659.2020.29

  Autoimmune epilepsy (AE) is a general term to describe recurrent seizures that have an immune-mediated origin. It is increasingly being recognized as a cause of epilepsy due to accumulating evidence supporting an immune-mediated pathogenesis in patients who have shown resistance to traditional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). […] The importance of early diagnosis of AE cannot be overstated, as prompt immunotherapy is important for seizure reduction. […] The goal of this review was to provide an overview of the following biomarkers that have been associated with AE: AMPAR, LGl1, CASPR2, DPPX, GABAAR, GABABR, GFAP, GlyR, mGluR5, NMDAR, VGCC (P/Q types), amphiphysin, ANNA-1, CRMP-5, GAD65, and Ma1/Ma2 antibodies. […] It has been demonstrated that AE does not respond well to conventional antiepileptic treatment but may respond better to targeted immunotherapies in combination with AEDs.

• #21 Autoimmune Epilepsy — Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences

  https://www.ndcn.ox.ac.uk/research/oxford-epilepsy-research-group/areas-of-work/autoimmune-epilepsy

  The term autoimmune epilepsy was coined in Oxford and we continue to be a leading centre for research into this area (please see Oxford Autoimmune Neurology Group for full details). […] In particular we are interested in the role of LGI1, CASPR2, NMDA and GAD antibodies in epilepsy. […] Caption: Jerks affecting the arm, leg and face, so termed faciobrachial dystonic seizures are considered pathognomonic of LGI1 associated epilepsy, one of the autoimmune epilepsies that we are studying here in Oxford. […] The importance of early immunotherapy in patients with faciobrachial dystonic seizures. […] Epilepsy: an autoimmune disease?

• #22 Autoimmune Diseases That Cause Seizures: A Comprehensive Guide | Maggie Yu MD, IFMCP

  https://drmaggieyu.com/blog/autoimmune-diseases-that-cause-seizures-a-comprehensive-guide/

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a distinct condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain, leading to seizures. Unlike other forms of epilepsy that might stem from genetic or unknown causes, this type specifically involves the bodys defense mechanisms turning against neural tissues. […] Patients with autoimmune epilepsy often present with seizures that do not respond well to traditional antiepileptic drugs. This resistance suggests an underlying immune-related cause rather than a purely neurological issue. […] In autoimmune epilepsy, autoantibodies play a crucial role. These are immune proteins that target the brains own cells, causing inflammation and damage. This process disrupts normal neural function, leading to epileptic seizures. […] Inflammation within the brain is another hallmark of autoimmune epilepsy. It not only contributes to seizure occurrence but also affects overall brain health. MRI scans often reveal inflammatory changes in patients brains, providing a visual confirmation of the diseases impact.

• #23 Autoimmune Diseases That Cause Seizures: A Comprehensive Guide | Maggie Yu MD, IFMCP

  https://drmaggieyu.com/blog/autoimmune-diseases-that-cause-seizures-a-comprehensive-guide/

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a distinct condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain, leading to seizures. Unlike other forms of epilepsy that might stem from genetic or unknown causes, this type specifically involves the bodys defense mechanisms turning against neural tissues. […] Patients with autoimmune epilepsy often present with seizures that do not respond well to traditional antiepileptic drugs. This resistance suggests an underlying immune-related cause rather than a purely neurological issue. […] In autoimmune epilepsy, autoantibodies play a crucial role. These are immune proteins that target the brains own cells, causing inflammation and damage. This process disrupts normal neural function, leading to epileptic seizures. […] Inflammation within the brain is another hallmark of autoimmune epilepsy. It not only contributes to seizure occurrence but also affects overall brain health. MRI scans often reveal inflammatory changes in patients brains, providing a visual confirmation of the diseases impact.

• #24 Autoimmune Epilepsy Clinic

  https://med.uth.edu/neurology/multiple-sclerosis/autoimmune-epilepsy-clinic/

  This multidisciplinary clinic provides care for patients with seizures secondary to autoimmune encephalitis (AE). […] Autoimmune encephalitis can cause seizures, by direct or indirect of immune system on brain. Often times these seizures continue as long as inflammatory process continues in the brain. Less frequently, these seizures continue even when inflammatory process has subsided, at which point it is called autoimmune Epilepsy. […] Sudden onset of frequent seizures in a person without predisposing brain lesions, personal or family history of seizures needs evaluation for immune-related seizures. These seizures tend to respond poorly to anti-seizure medicine. […] When seizures happen secondary to an autoimmune process, we need to address both seizures and the inflammatory process. Depending on etiology, seizures secondary to autoimmune process can be hard to manage and may require long-term medical treatment.

• #25 Azthena logo with the word Azthena

  https://www.news-medical.net/news/20140514/Autoimmune-epilepsy-diagnostics-an-interview-with-Dr-Joseph-J-Higgins-Medical-Director-Neurology-Athena-Diagnostics-a-business-of-Quest-Diagnostics.aspx

  A growing body of literature demonstrates an autoimmune basis in the etiology of some forms of epilepsy. […] Autoimmune epilepsy requires different diagnostic techniques. For this disorder, in addition to imaging exams like MRI and cerebrospinal fluid, molecular tests can identify particular autoimmune markers implicated in the condition through a blood test. […] We have just released a multi-analyte panel to enable the physician to streamline the evaluation of a patient based on the presence of antibodies well correlated in the literature with autoimmune epilepsy. […] With this information, a physician may arrive at a reliable diagnosis more quickly, and initiate immunotherapy as well as traditional anticonvulsant therapy. We believe this test therefore reflects a significant diagnostic advance for autoimmune epilepsy. […] Early and accurate diagnosis is the most critical piece to the optimal delivery of healthcare services. […] We believe our new epilepsy tests will help more patients receive earlier diagnosis and treatment for epilepsy.

• #26 Autoimmune epilepsy – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20576912

  An autoimmune epilepsy diagnosis begins with a physical exam and a review of your symptoms. […] Lab tests check for antibodies in the immune system that are attacking brain cells and causing seizures. […] Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your autoimmune epilepsy-related health concerns. […] Autoimmune epilepsy treatment differs from the treatment used for other types of epilepsy. Healthcare professionals use immunotherapy to reduce the immune system activity and treat seizures. […] Your healthcare professional also may recommend plasma exchange. A healthcare professional removes the liquid part of your blood and separates it from your blood cells. […] Although antiseizure medicines don’t work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy. […] Autoimmune epilepsy care at Mayo Clinic.

• #27 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  Approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy do not achieve seizure freedom despite medical therapy, and the etiology of many epilepsies remains unknown. Treatment of immunologic epilepsy includes targeted immunotherapies in combination with antiepileptic drugs. Currently, no strict diagnostic guidelines exist for autoimmune epilepsy. This article seeks to provide a basic clinical approach to diagnosis and treatment. […] Patients with autoimmune epilepsy can present with anything from a simple seizure to a limbic encephalitis presentation, and there are syndrome-specific and atypical presentations as well. Patients with autoimmune epilepsy typically have multifocal seizures with an unusually high (ie, daily or weekly) seizure frequency at onset and can also present in nonconvulsive status epilepticus. They often have antiepileptic drug (AED) resistance at onset that may be categorized as new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE).

• #28 Autoimmune Epilepsy Clinic

  https://med.uth.edu/neurology/multiple-sclerosis/autoimmune-epilepsy-clinic/

  This multidisciplinary clinic provides care for patients with seizures secondary to autoimmune encephalitis (AE). […] Autoimmune encephalitis can cause seizures, by direct or indirect of immune system on brain. Often times these seizures continue as long as inflammatory process continues in the brain. Less frequently, these seizures continue even when inflammatory process has subsided, at which point it is called autoimmune Epilepsy. […] Sudden onset of frequent seizures in a person without predisposing brain lesions, personal or family history of seizures needs evaluation for immune-related seizures. These seizures tend to respond poorly to anti-seizure medicine. […] When seizures happen secondary to an autoimmune process, we need to address both seizures and the inflammatory process. Depending on etiology, seizures secondary to autoimmune process can be hard to manage and may require long-term medical treatment.

• #29 Unraveling Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://www.neurologylive.com/view/unraveling-autoimmune-epilepsy

  Autoimmune epilepsy is essentially a seizure disorder where a neural-specific antibody is present, may be pathogenic, and may cause seizures, said Lindsay Higdon, MD, a neurologist and epilepsy specialist at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. […] One of the main hallmarks of autoimmune epilepsy is that it is generally resistant to antiepileptic drugs. In a systematic review of 6 studies that included 169 patients with autoimmune epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs were effective in only 10.7% of cases. […] Once the cause is known, it makes sense to treat autoimmune epilepsy just like other autoimmune diseases by modulating the immune system. Along with antiepileptic drugs, we use either steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), or plasma exchange, Higdon said. […] Many patients with autoimmune epilepsy can be successfully managed if a proper algorithm is followed, such as the one suggested by Higdon. The first step, when you deal with a patient who has epilepsy of unknown origin, is to apply the APE score. If it is greater than 4, neural antibody testing should be carried out, Higdon said. Immunotherapy should ideally be initiated even before the antibody test results are received, either with steroids or IVIG.

• #30 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  Approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy do not achieve seizure freedom despite medical therapy, and the etiology of many epilepsies remains unknown. Treatment of immunologic epilepsy includes targeted immunotherapies in combination with antiepileptic drugs. Currently, no strict diagnostic guidelines exist for autoimmune epilepsy. This article seeks to provide a basic clinical approach to diagnosis and treatment. […] Patients with autoimmune epilepsy can present with anything from a simple seizure to a limbic encephalitis presentation, and there are syndrome-specific and atypical presentations as well. Patients with autoimmune epilepsy typically have multifocal seizures with an unusually high (ie, daily or weekly) seizure frequency at onset and can also present in nonconvulsive status epilepticus. They often have antiepileptic drug (AED) resistance at onset that may be categorized as new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE).

• #31 Management of Autoimmune Status Epilepticus

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5954092/

  Status epilepticus is a neurological emergency with increased morbidity and mortality. Urgent diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent irreversible brain damage. […] Autoimmune status epilepticus (ASE) can be refractory to anticonvulsant therapy and the symptoms include subacute onset of short-term memory loss with rapidly progressive encephalopathy, psychiatric symptoms with unexplained new-onset seizures, imaging findings, CSF pleocytosis, and availability of antibody testing makes an earlier diagnosis of ASE possible. Neuroimmunomodulatory therapies are the mainstay in the treatment of ASE. The goal is to maximize the effectiveness of anticonvulsant agents and find an optimal combination of therapies while undergoing immunomodulatory therapy to reduce morbidity and mortality. […] Autoimmune status epilepticus is a rare condition, although its outcomes can be profound.

• #32 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/autoimmune-epilepsy-natalie-aswad-boehm-mba-rblp-t

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a group of epilepsies mediated by all kinds of autoimmune reactions. […] Many cases of autoimmune epilepsy involve autoimmune limbic encephalitis. […] Diagnosis for autoimmune limbic encephalitis was first presented in the article, A clinical approach to diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis, published in 2016 by Francesc Graus and colleagues of his. […] Tests that are conducted to diagnose autoimmune epilepsy include cerebrospinal fluid analysis, neuroimaging, electroencephalogram, autoantibody tests, and brain biopsy. […] Symptoms that are caused by autoimmune limbic encephalitis include altered mental status, psychiatric symptoms, or memory deficits. […] Autoimmune epilepsy is treated by immunotherapy, removal of an immunologic trigger such as a tumor (when one is present) and anti-epileptic medications. […] Anticonvulsant medications help with the maintenance phase to prevent seizure activity. […] The Graus criteria is used to make a diagnosis when it comes to autoimmune encephalitis. […] Treatment options include immunotherapy, antiepileptic medication, and surgery.

• #33 Management of Autoimmune Status Epilepticus

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5954092/

  Status epilepticus is a neurological emergency with increased morbidity and mortality. Urgent diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent irreversible brain damage. […] Autoimmune status epilepticus (ASE) can be refractory to anticonvulsant therapy and the symptoms include subacute onset of short-term memory loss with rapidly progressive encephalopathy, psychiatric symptoms with unexplained new-onset seizures, imaging findings, CSF pleocytosis, and availability of antibody testing makes an earlier diagnosis of ASE possible. Neuroimmunomodulatory therapies are the mainstay in the treatment of ASE. The goal is to maximize the effectiveness of anticonvulsant agents and find an optimal combination of therapies while undergoing immunomodulatory therapy to reduce morbidity and mortality. […] Autoimmune status epilepticus is a rare condition, although its outcomes can be profound.

• #34 Autoimmune epilepsy – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20576912

  An autoimmune epilepsy diagnosis begins with a physical exam and a review of your symptoms. […] Lab tests check for antibodies in the immune system that are attacking brain cells and causing seizures. […] Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your autoimmune epilepsy-related health concerns. […] Autoimmune epilepsy treatment differs from the treatment used for other types of epilepsy. Healthcare professionals use immunotherapy to reduce the immune system activity and treat seizures. […] Your healthcare professional also may recommend plasma exchange. A healthcare professional removes the liquid part of your blood and separates it from your blood cells. […] Although antiseizure medicines don’t work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy. […] Autoimmune epilepsy care at Mayo Clinic.

• #35 Autoimmune Epilepsy Diagnosis and Treatment | Maggie Yu MD, IFMCP

  https://drmaggieyu.com/blog/autoimmune-epilepsy-diagnosis-and-treatment/

  An accurate diagnosis ensures you get the right treatment. Misdiagnosis can lead to ineffective treatments and worsening symptoms. […] Immunotherapy is a key treatment for autoimmune epilepsy. It involves using medications to suppress the immune system. Steroids and immunoglobulin are common options. Steroids reduce inflammation in the brain. They can be given orally or intravenously. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) helps modulate the immune response. […] Patients with autoimmune epilepsy require careful monitoring. Regular assessments help determine if treatments are working. Healthcare professionals use various tools, like CT scans and blood tests, to track progress. […] Full disclosure affects the choice of diagnostic tests. Doctors may order blood tests to check for specific antibodies. MRI scans can show brain inflammation linked to autoimmune conditions.

• #36 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  All patients with suspected autoimmune epilepsy should have basic labs, routine EEG with or without prolonged video-EEG capturing their typical seizure types, brain MRI with and without contrast, positron emission tomography (PET), and a lumbar puncture with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis to rule out infectious etiologies. […] Currently, no data from randomized controlled trials is available. Observational studies and clinical experience suggest that a response to immunotherapy in epilepsy (RITE) score 7 predicts a favorable response to immunotherapy. First-line treatment consists of either intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) (1 g/day for 3 to 5 days) or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (0.4g/kg/day for 3-5 days). If there is no response to the first agent, it is reasonable to try the second.

• #37 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://www.thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a newly emerging area of epilepsy. […] Autoimmune epilepsy presents with specific clinical manifestations, and various diagnostic approaches including cerebrospinal fluid analysis, neuroimaging, and autoantibody tests are essential for its differential diagnosis. […] The diagnosis is often indeterminate despite performing a thorough evaluation, and therefore empirical immunotherapy may be applied according to the judgment of the clinician. […] Autoimmune epilepsy often manifests as new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE). […] A patient classified as NORSE should receive empirical immunotherapy as soon as possible. […] On the other hand, a more cautious, stepwise approach is recommended for autoimmune epilepsy that presents with episodic events. […] The type of autoimmune epilepsy is also an important factor to consider when choosing from among various immunotherapy options.

• #38 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  All patients with suspected autoimmune epilepsy should have basic labs, routine EEG with or without prolonged video-EEG capturing their typical seizure types, brain MRI with and without contrast, positron emission tomography (PET), and a lumbar puncture with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis to rule out infectious etiologies. […] Currently, no data from randomized controlled trials is available. Observational studies and clinical experience suggest that a response to immunotherapy in epilepsy (RITE) score 7 predicts a favorable response to immunotherapy. First-line treatment consists of either intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) (1 g/day for 3 to 5 days) or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (0.4g/kg/day for 3-5 days). If there is no response to the first agent, it is reasonable to try the second.

• #39 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  All patients with suspected autoimmune epilepsy should have basic labs, routine EEG with or without prolonged video-EEG capturing their typical seizure types, brain MRI with and without contrast, positron emission tomography (PET), and a lumbar puncture with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis to rule out infectious etiologies. […] Currently, no data from randomized controlled trials is available. Observational studies and clinical experience suggest that a response to immunotherapy in epilepsy (RITE) score 7 predicts a favorable response to immunotherapy. First-line treatment consists of either intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) (1 g/day for 3 to 5 days) or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (0.4g/kg/day for 3-5 days). If there is no response to the first agent, it is reasonable to try the second.

• #40 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  All patients with suspected autoimmune epilepsy should have basic labs, routine EEG with or without prolonged video-EEG capturing their typical seizure types, brain MRI with and without contrast, positron emission tomography (PET), and a lumbar puncture with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis to rule out infectious etiologies. […] Currently, no data from randomized controlled trials is available. Observational studies and clinical experience suggest that a response to immunotherapy in epilepsy (RITE) score 7 predicts a favorable response to immunotherapy. First-line treatment consists of either intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) (1 g/day for 3 to 5 days) or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (0.4g/kg/day for 3-5 days). If there is no response to the first agent, it is reasonable to try the second.

• #41 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://www.thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a newly emerging area of epilepsy. […] Autoimmune epilepsy presents with specific clinical manifestations, and various diagnostic approaches including cerebrospinal fluid analysis, neuroimaging, and autoantibody tests are essential for its differential diagnosis. […] The diagnosis is often indeterminate despite performing a thorough evaluation, and therefore empirical immunotherapy may be applied according to the judgment of the clinician. […] Autoimmune epilepsy often manifests as new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE). […] A patient classified as NORSE should receive empirical immunotherapy as soon as possible. […] On the other hand, a more cautious, stepwise approach is recommended for autoimmune epilepsy that presents with episodic events. […] The type of autoimmune epilepsy is also an important factor to consider when choosing from among various immunotherapy options.

• #42 Azthena logo with the word Azthena

  https://www.news-medical.net/news/20140514/Autoimmune-epilepsy-diagnostics-an-interview-with-Dr-Joseph-J-Higgins-Medical-Director-Neurology-Athena-Diagnostics-a-business-of-Quest-Diagnostics.aspx

  A growing body of literature demonstrates an autoimmune basis in the etiology of some forms of epilepsy. […] Autoimmune epilepsy requires different diagnostic techniques. For this disorder, in addition to imaging exams like MRI and cerebrospinal fluid, molecular tests can identify particular autoimmune markers implicated in the condition through a blood test. […] We have just released a multi-analyte panel to enable the physician to streamline the evaluation of a patient based on the presence of antibodies well correlated in the literature with autoimmune epilepsy. […] With this information, a physician may arrive at a reliable diagnosis more quickly, and initiate immunotherapy as well as traditional anticonvulsant therapy. We believe this test therefore reflects a significant diagnostic advance for autoimmune epilepsy. […] Early and accurate diagnosis is the most critical piece to the optimal delivery of healthcare services. […] We believe our new epilepsy tests will help more patients receive earlier diagnosis and treatment for epilepsy.

• #43 Autoimmune Epilepsy Testing – Mayo Clinic LaboratoriesplayEpilepsyGABA-A receptor antibodies

  https://news.mayocliniclabs.com/neurology/autoimmune-neurology/epilepsy/

  Autoimmune epilepsy is increasingly recognized in the spectrum of immune-mediated neurological disorders, which can be characterized by detection of neural autoantibodies in serum or spinal fluid and responsiveness to immunotherapy. […] Identifying epilepsy as autoimmune-mediated is crucial because patients may benefit from immune suppression, while traditional antiepileptic therapy may not be effective. […] Our cell-based GABA-A receptor antibody test is recommended — in conjunction with other autoimmune neurology profiles — for patients who present with encephalopathy with seizures. […] Because disease associated with the GABA-A receptor antibody is responsive to immunotherapy if treated early, accurate and timely testing is critical. […] 75% of GABA-A receptor-positive patients had a partial or complete recovery with proper treatment.

• #44 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a newly emerging area of epilepsy. The concept of autoimmune as an etiology has recently been revisited thanks to advances in autoimmune encephalitis and precision medicine with immunotherapies. Autoimmune epilepsy presents with specific clinical manifestations, and various diagnostic approaches including cerebrospinal fluid analysis, neuroimaging, and autoantibody tests are essential for its differential diagnosis. The diagnosis is often indeterminate despite performing a thorough evaluation, and therefore empirical immunotherapy may be applied according to the judgment of the clinician. Autoimmune epilepsy often manifests as new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE). A patient classified as NORSE should receive empirical immunotherapy as soon as possible. On the other hand, a more cautious, stepwise approach is recommended for autoimmune epilepsy that presents with episodic events. The type of autoimmune epilepsy is also an important factor to consider when choosing from among various immunotherapy options. Clinicians should additionally take the characteristics of antiepileptic drugs into account when using them as an adjuvant therapy. This expert opinion discusses the diagnostic and treatment approaches for autoimmune epilepsy from a practical point of view.

• #45 Identification and Treatment of Autoimmune Epilepsy – Contemporary Advances in Epilepsy

  https://www.medpagetoday.com/resource-centers/contemporary-advances-epilepsy/identification-and-treatment-autoimmune-epilepsy/2088

  Among the one-third of adults with epilepsy of unknown etiology, an autoimmune cause appears to be the potential culprit in at least 20% of cases, according to new research published by Divyanshu Dubey, MD, and colleagues in JAMA Neurology. […] To aid clinicians in identifying individuals with autoimmune epilepsy, which does not respond to standard antiepileptic therapy, the study investigators devised an antibody prevalence in epilepsy (APE) score useful for predicting positive serologic findings. […] Moreover, the investigators showed that seropositive patients exhibited favorable responses to immunomodulatory therapy. […] Patients with autoimmune-induced seizures tend to have recalcitrant disease that does not respond to antiepileptic drugs. […] Accurately diagnosing these individuals not only helps avoid unnecessary therapy, but also offers the opportunity to treat patients with immunomodulatory therapies that have been shown to offer benefit, such as corticosteroids and intravenous immune globulin.

• #46 Unraveling Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://www.neurologylive.com/view/unraveling-autoimmune-epilepsy

  Autoimmune epilepsy is essentially a seizure disorder where a neural-specific antibody is present, may be pathogenic, and may cause seizures, said Lindsay Higdon, MD, a neurologist and epilepsy specialist at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. […] One of the main hallmarks of autoimmune epilepsy is that it is generally resistant to antiepileptic drugs. In a systematic review of 6 studies that included 169 patients with autoimmune epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs were effective in only 10.7% of cases. […] Once the cause is known, it makes sense to treat autoimmune epilepsy just like other autoimmune diseases by modulating the immune system. Along with antiepileptic drugs, we use either steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), or plasma exchange, Higdon said. […] Many patients with autoimmune epilepsy can be successfully managed if a proper algorithm is followed, such as the one suggested by Higdon. The first step, when you deal with a patient who has epilepsy of unknown origin, is to apply the APE score. If it is greater than 4, neural antibody testing should be carried out, Higdon said. Immunotherapy should ideally be initiated even before the antibody test results are received, either with steroids or IVIG.

• #47 Antibody Prevalence in Epilepsy and Encephalopathy (APE2) Score – Insights

  https://news.mayocliniclabs.com/2019/10/21/antibody-prevalence-in-epilepsy-and-encephalopathy-ape2-score/

  Autoimmune encephalitis and autoimmune epilepsy were once considered extremely rare, but lately this perception has changed. A considerable proportion of these cases have neural-specific antibody biomarkers. […] We have noticed similar trends among patients with epilepsy of unknown etiology. Nearly 15–20% of patients with cryptogenic epilepsies with or without other features of encephalitis have serological biomarkers suggestive of an autoimmune etiology. […] Interestingly, patients found to be seropositive and subsequently treated with immunotherapy had a considerably better outcome compared to patients who continued to have epilepsy of unknown etiology and were treated symptomatically with anti-seizure medications. […] An APE2 score of more than or equal to four performed well as a predictor of neural autoantibody positivity. […] To conclude, APE2 scoring is a useful predictive model based on clinical criteria, which can aid in diagnosis and management of autoimmune epilepsy and encephalopathy.

• #48 905305 | Stanford Health Care

  https://stanfordhealthcare.org/publications/905/905305.html

  PURPOSE: Immune-mediated seizures are rare but are increasingly recognized as an etiology of seizures resistant to anti-seizure medications (ASMs). […] APE2 and RITE2 scores had high sensitivities but low specificities to predict seropositivity and seizure responsiveness to immunotherapy in patients with autoimmune encephalitis with seizures.

• #49 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  All patients with suspected autoimmune epilepsy should have basic labs, routine EEG with or without prolonged video-EEG capturing their typical seizure types, brain MRI with and without contrast, positron emission tomography (PET), and a lumbar puncture with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis to rule out infectious etiologies. […] Currently, no data from randomized controlled trials is available. Observational studies and clinical experience suggest that a response to immunotherapy in epilepsy (RITE) score 7 predicts a favorable response to immunotherapy. First-line treatment consists of either intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) (1 g/day for 3 to 5 days) or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (0.4g/kg/day for 3-5 days). If there is no response to the first agent, it is reasonable to try the second.

• #50 905305 | Stanford Health Care

  https://stanfordhealthcare.org/publications/905/905305.html

  PURPOSE: Immune-mediated seizures are rare but are increasingly recognized as an etiology of seizures resistant to anti-seizure medications (ASMs). […] APE2 and RITE2 scores had high sensitivities but low specificities to predict seropositivity and seizure responsiveness to immunotherapy in patients with autoimmune encephalitis with seizures.

• #51 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/autoimmune-epilepsy-natalie-aswad-boehm-mba-rblp-t

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a group of epilepsies mediated by all kinds of autoimmune reactions. […] Many cases of autoimmune epilepsy involve autoimmune limbic encephalitis. […] Diagnosis for autoimmune limbic encephalitis was first presented in the article, A clinical approach to diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis, published in 2016 by Francesc Graus and colleagues of his. […] Tests that are conducted to diagnose autoimmune epilepsy include cerebrospinal fluid analysis, neuroimaging, electroencephalogram, autoantibody tests, and brain biopsy. […] Symptoms that are caused by autoimmune limbic encephalitis include altered mental status, psychiatric symptoms, or memory deficits. […] Autoimmune epilepsy is treated by immunotherapy, removal of an immunologic trigger such as a tumor (when one is present) and anti-epileptic medications. […] Anticonvulsant medications help with the maintenance phase to prevent seizure activity. […] The Graus criteria is used to make a diagnosis when it comes to autoimmune encephalitis. […] Treatment options include immunotherapy, antiepileptic medication, and surgery.

• #52 Autoimmune epilepsy – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20576912

  An autoimmune epilepsy diagnosis begins with a physical exam and a review of your symptoms. […] Lab tests check for antibodies in the immune system that are attacking brain cells and causing seizures. […] Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your autoimmune epilepsy-related health concerns. […] Autoimmune epilepsy treatment differs from the treatment used for other types of epilepsy. Healthcare professionals use immunotherapy to reduce the immune system activity and treat seizures. […] Your healthcare professional also may recommend plasma exchange. A healthcare professional removes the liquid part of your blood and separates it from your blood cells. […] Although antiseizure medicines don’t work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy. […] Autoimmune epilepsy care at Mayo Clinic.

• #53 Autoimmune epilepsy | Beacon Health System

  https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy?content_id=CON-20573820

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a type of epilepsy where seizures are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking brain cells. […] Antiseizure medicines usually don’t do enough to manage seizures in people with autoimmune epilepsy. Instead, immunotherapy medicines help reduce the immune response on the brain. […] When immunotherapy is started early, it can reduce inflammation and improve seizures. […] Autoimmune epilepsy is caused by the immune system attacking brain cells and leading to seizures. […] Autoimmune epilepsy treatment differs from the treatment used for other types of epilepsy. Healthcare professionals use immunotherapy to reduce the immune system activity and treat seizures. […] If cancer is the cause of autoimmune epilepsy, treating the cancer is an important part of treatment.

• #54 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://www.thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  Clinicians should additionally take the characteristics of antiepileptic drugs into account when using them as an adjuvant therapy. […] This expert opinion discusses the diagnostic and treatment approaches for autoimmune epilepsy from a practical point of view. […] The treatment of autoimmune epilepsy can be categorized into two axes: 1) disease-modifying treatment by immunotherapy and 2) the administration of appropriate AEDs. […] For precise immunotherapy, careful history-taking, neurologic examinations, and pathomechanism analysis of autoimmune epilepsy are mandatory. […] Since NORSE is an emergency condition, immunotherapy should be administered as soon as possible, preferably within hours or (at worst) days. […] As empirical immunotherapy, IVIg can be the first treatment of choice because it is both effective in autoimmune epilepsy and safe in viral encephalitis.

• #55 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  The treatment of autoimmune epilepsy can be categorized into two axes: 1) disease-modifying treatment by immunotherapy and 2) the administration of appropriate AEDs. For precise immunotherapy, careful history-taking, neurologic examinations, and pathomechanism analysis of autoimmune epilepsy are mandatory. […] Since NORSE is an emergency condition, immunotherapy should be administered as soon as possible, preferably within hours or (at worst) days. The occurrence of an uncontrolled seizure during an ongoing differential diagnosis can itself be fatal, and so the conventional management of status epilepticus with AEDs or anesthetics is essential. As empirical immunotherapy, IVIg can be the first treatment of choice because it is both effective in autoimmune epilepsy and safe in viral encephalitis.

• #56 Autoimmune epilepsy – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20576912

  An autoimmune epilepsy diagnosis begins with a physical exam and a review of your symptoms. […] Lab tests check for antibodies in the immune system that are attacking brain cells and causing seizures. […] Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your autoimmune epilepsy-related health concerns. […] Autoimmune epilepsy treatment differs from the treatment used for other types of epilepsy. Healthcare professionals use immunotherapy to reduce the immune system activity and treat seizures. […] Your healthcare professional also may recommend plasma exchange. A healthcare professional removes the liquid part of your blood and separates it from your blood cells. […] Although antiseizure medicines don’t work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy. […] Autoimmune epilepsy care at Mayo Clinic.

• #57 Autoimmune epilepsy | Beacon Health System

  https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy?content_id=CON-20573820

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a type of epilepsy where seizures are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking brain cells. […] Antiseizure medicines usually don’t do enough to manage seizures in people with autoimmune epilepsy. Instead, immunotherapy medicines help reduce the immune response on the brain. […] When immunotherapy is started early, it can reduce inflammation and improve seizures. […] Autoimmune epilepsy is caused by the immune system attacking brain cells and leading to seizures. […] Autoimmune epilepsy treatment differs from the treatment used for other types of epilepsy. Healthcare professionals use immunotherapy to reduce the immune system activity and treat seizures. […] If cancer is the cause of autoimmune epilepsy, treating the cancer is an important part of treatment.

• #58 Autoimmune epilepsy – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20576892

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a type of epilepsy where seizures are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking brain cells. […] Antiseizure medicines usually don’t do enough to manage seizures in people with autoimmune epilepsy. Instead, immunotherapy medicines help reduce the immune response on the brain. […] When immunotherapy is started early, it can reduce inflammation and improve seizures. For some people, treatment can stop seizures completely. For others, seizures may continue after treatment. […] Autoimmune epilepsy is caused by the immune system attacking brain cells and leading to seizures. […] Autoimmune epilepsy complications can include serious seizures that last more than five minutes or occur one after another. The person isn’t conscious in between the seizures. These serious seizures are known as status epilepticus. They need emergency medical attention.

• #59 Autoimmune epilepsy | Beacon Health System

  https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy?content_id=CON-20573820

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a type of epilepsy where seizures are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking brain cells. […] Antiseizure medicines usually don’t do enough to manage seizures in people with autoimmune epilepsy. Instead, immunotherapy medicines help reduce the immune response on the brain. […] When immunotherapy is started early, it can reduce inflammation and improve seizures. […] Autoimmune epilepsy is caused by the immune system attacking brain cells and leading to seizures. […] Autoimmune epilepsy treatment differs from the treatment used for other types of epilepsy. Healthcare professionals use immunotherapy to reduce the immune system activity and treat seizures. […] If cancer is the cause of autoimmune epilepsy, treating the cancer is an important part of treatment.

• #60 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  All patients with suspected autoimmune epilepsy should have basic labs, routine EEG with or without prolonged video-EEG capturing their typical seizure types, brain MRI with and without contrast, positron emission tomography (PET), and a lumbar puncture with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis to rule out infectious etiologies. […] Currently, no data from randomized controlled trials is available. Observational studies and clinical experience suggest that a response to immunotherapy in epilepsy (RITE) score 7 predicts a favorable response to immunotherapy. First-line treatment consists of either intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) (1 g/day for 3 to 5 days) or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (0.4g/kg/day for 3-5 days). If there is no response to the first agent, it is reasonable to try the second.

• #61 How to Know When It’s Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/905947

  There are certain red flags that give you an indication that it is autoimmune epilepsy, or autoimmune status epilepticus. […] The patient’s classic clinical presentation is also important, especially when you look at the brain wave studies. […] Whenever we come across a case, it takes a long time to treat it and keep them under control like we would regularly be able to do. It is pretty refractory, especially the autoimmune status epilepticus. […] Mainly, we initiate AEDs. You start one drug that fails, then a second, and by the third, that’s likely too late. At that point, you want to consider immunomodulatory therapies to treat the refractory status epilepticus. […] We have to start the high-dose steroids or plasmapheresis. Those are the ways we want to go. […] The high-dose steroids are usually the first line of treatment.

• #62 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  All patients with suspected autoimmune epilepsy should have basic labs, routine EEG with or without prolonged video-EEG capturing their typical seizure types, brain MRI with and without contrast, positron emission tomography (PET), and a lumbar puncture with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis to rule out infectious etiologies. […] Currently, no data from randomized controlled trials is available. Observational studies and clinical experience suggest that a response to immunotherapy in epilepsy (RITE) score 7 predicts a favorable response to immunotherapy. First-line treatment consists of either intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) (1 g/day for 3 to 5 days) or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (0.4g/kg/day for 3-5 days). If there is no response to the first agent, it is reasonable to try the second.

• #63 How to Know When It’s Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/905947

  If that doesn’t work then we do intravenous immunoglobulin and then maybe end with the plasmapheresis. […] You get a good history, look for some failure of conventional anticonvulsants, rule out prior history of stroke or noncompliance, and then look at patient presentation. […] The typical such patient I see in the ICU is normal and healthy, with no other problems. Then, all of a sudden they will start to have seizures. […] Even in the older population, I’ve seen otherwise healthy patients who have had no problems before all of a sudden start having multifocal seizures. They’re very refractory, and then you suspect whether they’re autoimmune or not then.

• #64 Autoimmune epilepsy – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20576912

  An autoimmune epilepsy diagnosis begins with a physical exam and a review of your symptoms. […] Lab tests check for antibodies in the immune system that are attacking brain cells and causing seizures. […] Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your autoimmune epilepsy-related health concerns. […] Autoimmune epilepsy treatment differs from the treatment used for other types of epilepsy. Healthcare professionals use immunotherapy to reduce the immune system activity and treat seizures. […] Your healthcare professional also may recommend plasma exchange. A healthcare professional removes the liquid part of your blood and separates it from your blood cells. […] Although antiseizure medicines don’t work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy. […] Autoimmune epilepsy care at Mayo Clinic.

• #65 How to Know When It’s Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/905947

  If that doesn’t work then we do intravenous immunoglobulin and then maybe end with the plasmapheresis. […] You get a good history, look for some failure of conventional anticonvulsants, rule out prior history of stroke or noncompliance, and then look at patient presentation. […] The typical such patient I see in the ICU is normal and healthy, with no other problems. Then, all of a sudden they will start to have seizures. […] Even in the older population, I’ve seen otherwise healthy patients who have had no problems before all of a sudden start having multifocal seizures. They’re very refractory, and then you suspect whether they’re autoimmune or not then.

• #66 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  If patients worsen or there is no response within 2 weeks of a first-line therapy, second-line therapies are rituximab (1g IV) given twice 2 weeks apart or cyclophosphamide (750mg/m2 monthly up to 6 months). […] Recovery can often be gradual and protracted. Many patients are hospitalized for 3 to 4 months followed by months of rehabilitation. Relapses of the disease are also possible.

• #67

  https://aesnet.org/abstractslisting/rituximab-for-the-treatment-of-intractable-epilepsy-due-to-autoimmune-encephalitis–case-series

  Rituximab is an monoclonal antibody that depletes B-cells, which are precursors to plasma cells that secrete pathogenic antibodies. […] All patients demonstrated complete epilepsy control and improvement in symptoms with rituximab. […] She remains seizure-free on rituximab for 1 year with improvement in cognition to premorbid levels. […] He demonstrated full recovery and remains asymptomatic on rituximab for 6 months. […] These results suggest that empiric treatment with rituximab can be considered as add-on therapy for the treatment of recalcitrant status epilepticus.

• #68 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  If patients worsen or there is no response within 2 weeks of a first-line therapy, second-line therapies are rituximab (1g IV) given twice 2 weeks apart or cyclophosphamide (750mg/m2 monthly up to 6 months). […] Recovery can often be gradual and protracted. Many patients are hospitalized for 3 to 4 months followed by months of rehabilitation. Relapses of the disease are also possible.

• #69 Autoimmune epilepsy, retrospective case series of clinical features, management, and outcomes | Neurosciences Journal

  https://nsj.org.sa/content/28/4/264

  Important diagnostic tools such as cerebrospinal fluid and serum analysis for the detection of neural-specific autoantibodies can facilitate the establishment of an accurate diagnosis and inform treatment strategies. […] Autoimmune epilepsy management strategies fall into two phases: acute and maintenance. Acute interventions commonly include IV methylprednisolone, IVIG, and plasmapheresis, while maintenance therapy usually involves rituximab, azathioprine, or other immunosuppressive agents. […] The IV corticosteroids are typically the first-line therapy, followed by either IVIG or plasmapheresis. Often, refractory cases necessitate the addition of a chemotherapeutic agent such as rituximab. […] In our study, 2 patients underwent acute phase treatment involving IV methylprednisolone, IVIG, and plasmapheresis. All patients were initiated on rituximab and AEDs for maintenance therapy, resulting in favorable treatment response and improved seizure control.

• #70 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://www.thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  Clinicians should additionally take the characteristics of antiepileptic drugs into account when using them as an adjuvant therapy. […] This expert opinion discusses the diagnostic and treatment approaches for autoimmune epilepsy from a practical point of view. […] The treatment of autoimmune epilepsy can be categorized into two axes: 1) disease-modifying treatment by immunotherapy and 2) the administration of appropriate AEDs. […] For precise immunotherapy, careful history-taking, neurologic examinations, and pathomechanism analysis of autoimmune epilepsy are mandatory. […] Since NORSE is an emergency condition, immunotherapy should be administered as soon as possible, preferably within hours or (at worst) days. […] As empirical immunotherapy, IVIg can be the first treatment of choice because it is both effective in autoimmune epilepsy and safe in viral encephalitis.

• #71 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  The treatment of autoimmune epilepsy can be categorized into two axes: 1) disease-modifying treatment by immunotherapy and 2) the administration of appropriate AEDs. For precise immunotherapy, careful history-taking, neurologic examinations, and pathomechanism analysis of autoimmune epilepsy are mandatory. […] Since NORSE is an emergency condition, immunotherapy should be administered as soon as possible, preferably within hours or (at worst) days. The occurrence of an uncontrolled seizure during an ongoing differential diagnosis can itself be fatal, and so the conventional management of status epilepticus with AEDs or anesthetics is essential. As empirical immunotherapy, IVIg can be the first treatment of choice because it is both effective in autoimmune epilepsy and safe in viral encephalitis.

• #72 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://www.thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  Clinicians should additionally take the characteristics of antiepileptic drugs into account when using them as an adjuvant therapy. […] This expert opinion discusses the diagnostic and treatment approaches for autoimmune epilepsy from a practical point of view. […] The treatment of autoimmune epilepsy can be categorized into two axes: 1) disease-modifying treatment by immunotherapy and 2) the administration of appropriate AEDs. […] For precise immunotherapy, careful history-taking, neurologic examinations, and pathomechanism analysis of autoimmune epilepsy are mandatory. […] Since NORSE is an emergency condition, immunotherapy should be administered as soon as possible, preferably within hours or (at worst) days. […] As empirical immunotherapy, IVIg can be the first treatment of choice because it is both effective in autoimmune epilepsy and safe in viral encephalitis.

• #73 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  The treatment of autoimmune epilepsy can be categorized into two axes: 1) disease-modifying treatment by immunotherapy and 2) the administration of appropriate AEDs. For precise immunotherapy, careful history-taking, neurologic examinations, and pathomechanism analysis of autoimmune epilepsy are mandatory. […] Since NORSE is an emergency condition, immunotherapy should be administered as soon as possible, preferably within hours or (at worst) days. The occurrence of an uncontrolled seizure during an ongoing differential diagnosis can itself be fatal, and so the conventional management of status epilepticus with AEDs or anesthetics is essential. As empirical immunotherapy, IVIg can be the first treatment of choice because it is both effective in autoimmune epilepsy and safe in viral encephalitis.

• #74 Autoimmune epilepsy – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20576912

  An autoimmune epilepsy diagnosis begins with a physical exam and a review of your symptoms. […] Lab tests check for antibodies in the immune system that are attacking brain cells and causing seizures. […] Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your autoimmune epilepsy-related health concerns. […] Autoimmune epilepsy treatment differs from the treatment used for other types of epilepsy. Healthcare professionals use immunotherapy to reduce the immune system activity and treat seizures. […] Your healthcare professional also may recommend plasma exchange. A healthcare professional removes the liquid part of your blood and separates it from your blood cells. […] Although antiseizure medicines don’t work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy. […] Autoimmune epilepsy care at Mayo Clinic.

• #75 Autoimmune epilepsy | UM Health-Sparrow

  https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy

  Although antiseizure medicines don’t work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. However, the effectiveness of these medicines may be limited. […] Many people whose seizures are due to autoimmune encephalitis become seizure free after taking immunotherapy. It may take several months after the treatment for the seizures to stop. But seizures continue for some people even after immunotherapy. […] If you have symptoms other than seizures, such as trouble with memory or speech, you may need rehabilitation. Occupational and speech therapy can help. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy.

• #76 Autoimmune epilepsy | UM Health-Sparrow

  https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy

  Although antiseizure medicines don’t work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. However, the effectiveness of these medicines may be limited. […] Many people whose seizures are due to autoimmune encephalitis become seizure free after taking immunotherapy. It may take several months after the treatment for the seizures to stop. But seizures continue for some people even after immunotherapy. […] If you have symptoms other than seizures, such as trouble with memory or speech, you may need rehabilitation. Occupational and speech therapy can help. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy.

• #77 Unraveling Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://www.neurologylive.com/view/unraveling-autoimmune-epilepsy

  Autoimmune epilepsy is essentially a seizure disorder where a neural-specific antibody is present, may be pathogenic, and may cause seizures, said Lindsay Higdon, MD, a neurologist and epilepsy specialist at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. […] One of the main hallmarks of autoimmune epilepsy is that it is generally resistant to antiepileptic drugs. In a systematic review of 6 studies that included 169 patients with autoimmune epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs were effective in only 10.7% of cases. […] Once the cause is known, it makes sense to treat autoimmune epilepsy just like other autoimmune diseases by modulating the immune system. Along with antiepileptic drugs, we use either steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), or plasma exchange, Higdon said. […] Many patients with autoimmune epilepsy can be successfully managed if a proper algorithm is followed, such as the one suggested by Higdon. The first step, when you deal with a patient who has epilepsy of unknown origin, is to apply the APE score. If it is greater than 4, neural antibody testing should be carried out, Higdon said. Immunotherapy should ideally be initiated even before the antibody test results are received, either with steroids or IVIG.

• #78 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://www.thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  The occurrence of only sporadic seizures in autoimmune epilepsy will give clinicians more time to complete the differential diagnosis, and treatment and immunotherapy can be applied over days and even weeks. […] However, an AED is an adjuvant treatment in autoimmune epilepsy, and few cases of seizure are prevented by an AED alone. […] The first step is to control seizures by the appropriate administration of AEDs. […] Early empirical immunotherapy should be actively considered for these patients. […] The duration of immunotherapy maintenance should also be addressed. […] The prognosis depends on the depth of autoimmunity and the presence of neuronal damage. […] In NMDAR encephalitis, although the receptors are regenerated when the disease antibody is removed, delayed immunotherapy will prolong the disease duration and increase morbidity. […] Therefore, clinicians should fully discuss the diagnosis and treatment approaches with the patient and their caregivers before deciding whether they will apply immunotherapeutics.

• #79 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  Previous studies have shown that the earlier initiation of immunotherapy will result in faster recovery and a better prognosis. The prognosis depends on the depth of autoimmunity and the presence of neuronal damage. In NMDAR encephalitis, although the receptors are regenerated when the disease antibody is removed, delayed immunotherapy will prolong the disease duration and increase morbidity. […] Approximately 15% of patients still do not respond well to immunotherapy treatment, and so future research needs to focus on patients with refractory autoimmune epilepsy. The pathomechanism first has to be clarified in order to determine why current immunotherapies are ineffective. Other therapeutic options including those that target the innate immunity are worth considering. The duration of immunotherapy maintenance should also be addressed.

• #80 Autoimmune Epilepsy – The Defeating Epilepsy Foundation

  https://www.defeatingepilepsy.org/understanding-epilepsy/autoimmune-epilepsy/

  Autoimmune epilepsy is treated by immunotherapy, removal of an immunologic trigger such as a tumor (when one is present) and anti-epileptic medications (Husari and Dubey, 2019). […] Anticonvulsant medications help with the maintenance phase to prevent seizure activity. […] In the article, Autoimmune Epilepsy, the authors pointed out that sodium channel blockers such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, oxcarbazepine, and lacosamide had the best success in controlling seizure activity. […] Surgery has been tried in some cases of autoimmune epilepsy, but studies show that the outcomes seem to be worse compared to other forms of drug-resistant epilepsy (Husari and Dubey, 2019). […] Treatment options include immunotherapy, antiepileptic medication, and surgery.

• #81 Autoimmune epilepsy | Beacon Health System

  https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy?content_id=CON-20573820

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a type of epilepsy where seizures are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking brain cells. […] Antiseizure medicines usually don’t do enough to manage seizures in people with autoimmune epilepsy. Instead, immunotherapy medicines help reduce the immune response on the brain. […] When immunotherapy is started early, it can reduce inflammation and improve seizures. […] Autoimmune epilepsy is caused by the immune system attacking brain cells and leading to seizures. […] Autoimmune epilepsy treatment differs from the treatment used for other types of epilepsy. Healthcare professionals use immunotherapy to reduce the immune system activity and treat seizures. […] If cancer is the cause of autoimmune epilepsy, treating the cancer is an important part of treatment.

• #82 Autoimmune epilepsy | UM Health-Sparrow

  https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a type of epilepsy where seizures are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking brain cells. […] Antiseizure medicines usually don’t do enough to manage seizures in people with autoimmune epilepsy. Instead, immunotherapy medicines help reduce the immune response on the brain. […] When immunotherapy is started early, it can reduce inflammation and improve seizures. For some people, treatment can stop seizures completely. For others, seizures may continue after treatment. […] Autoimmune epilepsy treatment differs from the treatment used for other types of epilepsy. Healthcare professionals use immunotherapy to reduce the immune system activity and treat seizures. […] If cancer is the cause of autoimmune epilepsy, treating the cancer is an important part of treatment.

• #83 Autoimmune epilepsy – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20576912

  An autoimmune epilepsy diagnosis begins with a physical exam and a review of your symptoms. […] Lab tests check for antibodies in the immune system that are attacking brain cells and causing seizures. […] Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your autoimmune epilepsy-related health concerns. […] Autoimmune epilepsy treatment differs from the treatment used for other types of epilepsy. Healthcare professionals use immunotherapy to reduce the immune system activity and treat seizures. […] Your healthcare professional also may recommend plasma exchange. A healthcare professional removes the liquid part of your blood and separates it from your blood cells. […] Although antiseizure medicines don’t work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy. […] Autoimmune epilepsy care at Mayo Clinic.

• #84 Autoimmune epilepsy | Beacon Health System

  https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy?content_id=CON-20573820

  Many people whose seizures are due to autoimmune encephalitis become seizure free after taking immunotherapy. It may take several months after the treatment for the seizures to stop. But seizures continue for some people even after immunotherapy. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy.

• #85 Autoimmune epilepsy | UM Health-Sparrow

  https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy

  Although antiseizure medicines don’t work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. However, the effectiveness of these medicines may be limited. […] Many people whose seizures are due to autoimmune encephalitis become seizure free after taking immunotherapy. It may take several months after the treatment for the seizures to stop. But seizures continue for some people even after immunotherapy. […] If you have symptoms other than seizures, such as trouble with memory or speech, you may need rehabilitation. Occupational and speech therapy can help. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy.

• #86 Autoimmune epilepsy | UM Health-Sparrow

  https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy

  Although antiseizure medicines don’t work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. However, the effectiveness of these medicines may be limited. […] Many people whose seizures are due to autoimmune encephalitis become seizure free after taking immunotherapy. It may take several months after the treatment for the seizures to stop. But seizures continue for some people even after immunotherapy. […] If you have symptoms other than seizures, such as trouble with memory or speech, you may need rehabilitation. Occupational and speech therapy can help. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy.

• #87 Autoimmune epilepsy | Health Library | Memorial Health System

  https://www.mhsystem.org/health-library/con-20573820/

  If cancer is the cause of autoimmune epilepsy, treating the cancer is an important part of treatment. […] Immunotherapy medicines for autoimmune epilepsy may include high-dose corticosteroids and immunoglobulin. […] Depending on your response to the initial treatments, your healthcare professional also may recommend longer acting medicines that work on the immune system. […] Although antiseizure medicines dont work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. […] Many people whose seizures are due to autoimmune encephalitis become seizure free after taking immunotherapy. […] If you have symptoms other than seizures, such as trouble with memory or speech, you may need rehabilitation. Occupational and speech therapy can help. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesnt respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy.

• #88 Uncovering the Mysteries and Multidisciplinary Care for Autoimmune Epilepsy Patients | UNM Health Blog | Albuquerque, New Mexico

  https://unmhealth.org/stories/2024/02/autoimmune-epilepsy-patients.html

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a disease in our bodys own immune system, which usually protect us, but instead attacks our brain, resulting in sudden seizures that often present as being refractory and associated with other neurological and psychiatric comorbidity. […] In our epilepsy clinic, we also offer dedicated multidisciplinary care for patients with autoimmune epilepsy and support for families. […] Most patients with autoimmune epilepsy need ongoing care, with follow-up visits every two to four months with ongoing chemotherapy or immune suppression treatments. The team involved with this specialized care includes an autoimmune epilepsy faculty and a range of providers, such as: […] We also make referral to appropriate teams, including: […] If you or your loved one has refractory epilepsy or autoimmune epilepsy, please contact the UNM HSC neurology clinic at 505-272-3160.

• #89 Epilepsy | Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute | Condition | UT Southwestern Medical Center

  https://utswmed.org/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/

  UT Southwestern neurologists are among the first epilepsy experts in the United States to apply autoimmune neurology to treat seizures. Autoimmune disorders can cause epilepsy in more than 20 percent of patients, particularly those with seizures that cannot be managed by medications. […] UT Southwestern takes a team approach to epilepsy treatment. Neurologists who are trained in treating epilepsy lead care teams together with specialists in neurosurgery, neuroradiology, and neuropsychology, along with our advanced practice providers, nurses, and EEG technologists.

• #90 Epilepsy | Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute | Condition | UT Southwestern Medical Center

  https://utswmed.org/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/

  UT Southwestern neurologists are among the first epilepsy experts in the United States to apply autoimmune neurology to treat seizures. Autoimmune disorders can cause epilepsy in more than 20 percent of patients, particularly those with seizures that cannot be managed by medications. […] UT Southwestern takes a team approach to epilepsy treatment. Neurologists who are trained in treating epilepsy lead care teams together with specialists in neurosurgery, neuroradiology, and neuropsychology, along with our advanced practice providers, nurses, and EEG technologists.

• #91 Epilepsy | Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute | Condition | UT Southwestern Medical Center

  https://utswmed.org/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/

  UT Southwestern neurologists are among the first epilepsy experts in the United States to apply autoimmune neurology to treat seizures. Autoimmune disorders can cause epilepsy in more than 20 percent of patients, particularly those with seizures that cannot be managed by medications. […] UT Southwestern takes a team approach to epilepsy treatment. Neurologists who are trained in treating epilepsy lead care teams together with specialists in neurosurgery, neuroradiology, and neuropsychology, along with our advanced practice providers, nurses, and EEG technologists.

• #92 Epilepsy | Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute | Condition | UT Southwestern Medical Center

  https://utswmed.org/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/

  UT Southwestern neurologists are among the first epilepsy experts in the United States to apply autoimmune neurology to treat seizures. Autoimmune disorders can cause epilepsy in more than 20 percent of patients, particularly those with seizures that cannot be managed by medications. […] UT Southwestern takes a team approach to epilepsy treatment. Neurologists who are trained in treating epilepsy lead care teams together with specialists in neurosurgery, neuroradiology, and neuropsychology, along with our advanced practice providers, nurses, and EEG technologists.

• #93 Epilepsy | Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute | Condition | UT Southwestern Medical Center

  https://utswmed.org/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/

  UT Southwestern neurologists are among the first epilepsy experts in the United States to apply autoimmune neurology to treat seizures. Autoimmune disorders can cause epilepsy in more than 20 percent of patients, particularly those with seizures that cannot be managed by medications. […] UT Southwestern takes a team approach to epilepsy treatment. Neurologists who are trained in treating epilepsy lead care teams together with specialists in neurosurgery, neuroradiology, and neuropsychology, along with our advanced practice providers, nurses, and EEG technologists.

• #94 Epilepsy | Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute | Condition | UT Southwestern Medical Center

  https://utswmed.org/conditions-treatments/epilepsy/

  UT Southwestern neurologists are among the first epilepsy experts in the United States to apply autoimmune neurology to treat seizures. Autoimmune disorders can cause epilepsy in more than 20 percent of patients, particularly those with seizures that cannot be managed by medications. […] UT Southwestern takes a team approach to epilepsy treatment. Neurologists who are trained in treating epilepsy lead care teams together with specialists in neurosurgery, neuroradiology, and neuropsychology, along with our advanced practice providers, nurses, and EEG technologists.

• #95 Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Epilepsy Center | Northwestern Medicine

  https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/epilepsy-and-seizure-disorders

  The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center offers specialized care for epilepsy and seizure disorders to help improve your quality of life. […] The center is made up of a multidisciplinary team which includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, as well as specialized nurses and EEG technicians who all are committed to providing excellent care for patients with seizures. […] We also offer the only Women’s Epilepsy Program in Illinois. […] Immunotherapy For Autoimmune Epilepsy. […] The mainstay of treatment for epilepsy and seizure disorders is based on medications. However, it is important to treat other problems which may occur with epilepsy. […] Immunotherapy For Autoimmune Epilepsy.

• #96 Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Epilepsy Center | Northwestern Medicine

  https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/epilepsy-and-seizure-disorders

  The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center offers specialized care for epilepsy and seizure disorders to help improve your quality of life. […] The center is made up of a multidisciplinary team which includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, as well as specialized nurses and EEG technicians who all are committed to providing excellent care for patients with seizures. […] We also offer the only Women’s Epilepsy Program in Illinois. […] Immunotherapy For Autoimmune Epilepsy. […] The mainstay of treatment for epilepsy and seizure disorders is based on medications. However, it is important to treat other problems which may occur with epilepsy. […] Immunotherapy For Autoimmune Epilepsy.

• #97 Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Epilepsy Center | Northwestern Medicine

  https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/epilepsy-and-seizure-disorders

  The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center offers specialized care for epilepsy and seizure disorders to help improve your quality of life. […] The center is made up of a multidisciplinary team which includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, as well as specialized nurses and EEG technicians who all are committed to providing excellent care for patients with seizures. […] We also offer the only Women’s Epilepsy Program in Illinois. […] Immunotherapy For Autoimmune Epilepsy. […] The mainstay of treatment for epilepsy and seizure disorders is based on medications. However, it is important to treat other problems which may occur with epilepsy. […] Immunotherapy For Autoimmune Epilepsy.

• #98 Autoimmune Diseases That Cause Seizures: A Comprehensive Guide | Maggie Yu MD, IFMCP

  https://drmaggieyu.com/blog/autoimmune-diseases-that-cause-seizures-a-comprehensive-guide/

  Patient education is essential for managing expectations and improving adherence to treatment plans. Understanding their condition helps patients recognize symptoms early on, following Early Detection Importance. […] Targeted therapies represent a promising avenue for treating autoimmune diseases that cause seizures. These approaches focus on the specific mechanisms driving the disease, offering a more precise treatment option. […] Early detection of autoimmune diseases that can lead to seizures is crucial. However, the journey to a correct diagnosis is often fraught with obstacles. […] Raising awareness about the signs of autoimmune conditions that could lead to seizures is vital among both healthcare providers and patients. […] Taking preventive measures against seizures in individuals with autoimmune diseases begins with early detection and management of these conditions.

• #99 Uncovering the Mysteries and Multidisciplinary Care for Autoimmune Epilepsy Patients | UNM Health Blog | Albuquerque, New Mexico

  https://unmhealth.org/stories/2024/02/autoimmune-epilepsy-patients.html

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a disease in our bodys own immune system, which usually protect us, but instead attacks our brain, resulting in sudden seizures that often present as being refractory and associated with other neurological and psychiatric comorbidity. […] In our epilepsy clinic, we also offer dedicated multidisciplinary care for patients with autoimmune epilepsy and support for families. […] Most patients with autoimmune epilepsy need ongoing care, with follow-up visits every two to four months with ongoing chemotherapy or immune suppression treatments. The team involved with this specialized care includes an autoimmune epilepsy faculty and a range of providers, such as: […] We also make referral to appropriate teams, including: […] If you or your loved one has refractory epilepsy or autoimmune epilepsy, please contact the UNM HSC neurology clinic at 505-272-3160.

• #100 Uncovering the Mysteries and Multidisciplinary Care for Autoimmune Epilepsy Patients | UNM Health Blog | Albuquerque, New Mexico

  https://unmhealth.org/stories/2024/02/autoimmune-epilepsy-patients.html

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a disease in our bodys own immune system, which usually protect us, but instead attacks our brain, resulting in sudden seizures that often present as being refractory and associated with other neurological and psychiatric comorbidity. […] In our epilepsy clinic, we also offer dedicated multidisciplinary care for patients with autoimmune epilepsy and support for families. […] Most patients with autoimmune epilepsy need ongoing care, with follow-up visits every two to four months with ongoing chemotherapy or immune suppression treatments. The team involved with this specialized care includes an autoimmune epilepsy faculty and a range of providers, such as: […] We also make referral to appropriate teams, including: […] If you or your loved one has refractory epilepsy or autoimmune epilepsy, please contact the UNM HSC neurology clinic at 505-272-3160.

• #101 Autoimmune epilepsy – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20576892

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a type of epilepsy where seizures are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking brain cells. […] Antiseizure medicines usually don’t do enough to manage seizures in people with autoimmune epilepsy. Instead, immunotherapy medicines help reduce the immune response on the brain. […] When immunotherapy is started early, it can reduce inflammation and improve seizures. For some people, treatment can stop seizures completely. For others, seizures may continue after treatment. […] Autoimmune epilepsy is caused by the immune system attacking brain cells and leading to seizures. […] Autoimmune epilepsy complications can include serious seizures that last more than five minutes or occur one after another. The person isn’t conscious in between the seizures. These serious seizures are known as status epilepticus. They need emergency medical attention.

• #102 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  If patients worsen or there is no response within 2 weeks of a first-line therapy, second-line therapies are rituximab (1g IV) given twice 2 weeks apart or cyclophosphamide (750mg/m2 monthly up to 6 months). […] Recovery can often be gradual and protracted. Many patients are hospitalized for 3 to 4 months followed by months of rehabilitation. Relapses of the disease are also possible.

• #103 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  If patients worsen or there is no response within 2 weeks of a first-line therapy, second-line therapies are rituximab (1g IV) given twice 2 weeks apart or cyclophosphamide (750mg/m2 monthly up to 6 months). […] Recovery can often be gradual and protracted. Many patients are hospitalized for 3 to 4 months followed by months of rehabilitation. Relapses of the disease are also possible.

• #104 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  Previous studies have shown that the earlier initiation of immunotherapy will result in faster recovery and a better prognosis. The prognosis depends on the depth of autoimmunity and the presence of neuronal damage. In NMDAR encephalitis, although the receptors are regenerated when the disease antibody is removed, delayed immunotherapy will prolong the disease duration and increase morbidity. […] Approximately 15% of patients still do not respond well to immunotherapy treatment, and so future research needs to focus on patients with refractory autoimmune epilepsy. The pathomechanism first has to be clarified in order to determine why current immunotherapies are ineffective. Other therapeutic options including those that target the innate immunity are worth considering. The duration of immunotherapy maintenance should also be addressed.

• #105 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  Previous studies have shown that the earlier initiation of immunotherapy will result in faster recovery and a better prognosis. The prognosis depends on the depth of autoimmunity and the presence of neuronal damage. In NMDAR encephalitis, although the receptors are regenerated when the disease antibody is removed, delayed immunotherapy will prolong the disease duration and increase morbidity. […] Approximately 15% of patients still do not respond well to immunotherapy treatment, and so future research needs to focus on patients with refractory autoimmune epilepsy. The pathomechanism first has to be clarified in order to determine why current immunotherapies are ineffective. Other therapeutic options including those that target the innate immunity are worth considering. The duration of immunotherapy maintenance should also be addressed.

• #106

  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13311-019-00750-3

  Patients with autoimmune epilepsy usually present with new onset of refractory seizures with one or more coexisting features of autoimmune encephalitis including subacute progressive cognitive decline, psychiatric symptoms, viral prodrome, autonomic dysfunction, inflammatory CSF, oncological association, or brain MRI changes consistent with autoimmune encephalitis. […] Diagnosis of autoimmune epilepsy, in majority of the cases, is based on their clinical characteristics, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. […] Treatment of patients with autoimmune epilepsy is comprised of immunotherapy, removal of an immunologic trigger such as a tumor (when applicable), and symptomatic therapy including antiseizure medications. […] Multiple studies have demonstrated favorable effects of early initiation of immunotherapy on seizure frequency and cognition.

• #107 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://www.thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  The occurrence of only sporadic seizures in autoimmune epilepsy will give clinicians more time to complete the differential diagnosis, and treatment and immunotherapy can be applied over days and even weeks. […] However, an AED is an adjuvant treatment in autoimmune epilepsy, and few cases of seizure are prevented by an AED alone. […] The first step is to control seizures by the appropriate administration of AEDs. […] Early empirical immunotherapy should be actively considered for these patients. […] The duration of immunotherapy maintenance should also be addressed. […] The prognosis depends on the depth of autoimmunity and the presence of neuronal damage. […] In NMDAR encephalitis, although the receptors are regenerated when the disease antibody is removed, delayed immunotherapy will prolong the disease duration and increase morbidity. […] Therefore, clinicians should fully discuss the diagnosis and treatment approaches with the patient and their caregivers before deciding whether they will apply immunotherapeutics.

• #108 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  Previous studies have shown that the earlier initiation of immunotherapy will result in faster recovery and a better prognosis. The prognosis depends on the depth of autoimmunity and the presence of neuronal damage. In NMDAR encephalitis, although the receptors are regenerated when the disease antibody is removed, delayed immunotherapy will prolong the disease duration and increase morbidity. […] Approximately 15% of patients still do not respond well to immunotherapy treatment, and so future research needs to focus on patients with refractory autoimmune epilepsy. The pathomechanism first has to be clarified in order to determine why current immunotherapies are ineffective. Other therapeutic options including those that target the innate immunity are worth considering. The duration of immunotherapy maintenance should also be addressed.

• #109 Understanding and Treating Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/856528

  In our study, we looked at patients with autoimmune epilepsy due to multiple types of antibodies. […] The main findings were that patients with Ma2 antibodies tended to have a more severe clinical course. […] In terms of treatment, both groups demonstrated resistance to anticonvulsants with an average of 4.5 anticonvulsants trialed in the Ma2 antibody group and 3.2 anticonvulsants in the LGI1 antibody group. […] This work helps to set a foundation for further studies looking at patients with autoimmune epilepsy. […] There is some debate on this. It’s typically thought of as a rare disease, but there has been an increasing awareness of these antibodies in association with epilepsy although direct causation of disease has been questioned, at least for certain antibodies. […] Antineuronal antibodies have been found in 5%-10% of cases of drug-resistant epilepsy cohorts.

• #110 Autoimmune Epilepsy: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

  https://www.healthline.com/health/epilepsy/autoimmune-epilepsy

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a newly defined group of conditions characterized by recurrent seizures associated with autoimmunity. […] Autoimmune epilepsy develops when your immune system attacks healthy brain tissue. The underlying cause is not fully known. […] The main treatment for autoimmune epilepsy is a combination of anti-epileptic drugs to stop seizures and immunotherapy to reduce inflammation in your brain. […] An early initiation of immunotherapy is associated with a favorable outcome. It may improve your outlook and reduce serious complications. […] People with cancer-related autoimmune epilepsy generally have worse outcomes than people who develop autoimmune epilepsy with other underlying causes.

• #111 Autoimmune epilepsy | Beacon Health System

  https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy?content_id=CON-20573820

  Many people whose seizures are due to autoimmune encephalitis become seizure free after taking immunotherapy. It may take several months after the treatment for the seizures to stop. But seizures continue for some people even after immunotherapy. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy.

• #112 Autoimmune epilepsy | UM Health-Sparrow

  https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy

  Although antiseizure medicines don’t work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. However, the effectiveness of these medicines may be limited. […] Many people whose seizures are due to autoimmune encephalitis become seizure free after taking immunotherapy. It may take several months after the treatment for the seizures to stop. But seizures continue for some people even after immunotherapy. […] If you have symptoms other than seizures, such as trouble with memory or speech, you may need rehabilitation. Occupational and speech therapy can help. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy.

• #113 Autoimmune epilepsy | Beacon Health System

  https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy?content_id=CON-20573820

  Many people whose seizures are due to autoimmune encephalitis become seizure free after taking immunotherapy. It may take several months after the treatment for the seizures to stop. But seizures continue for some people even after immunotherapy. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy.

• #114 Autoimmune epilepsy | UM Health-Sparrow

  https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy

  Although antiseizure medicines don’t work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. However, the effectiveness of these medicines may be limited. […] Many people whose seizures are due to autoimmune encephalitis become seizure free after taking immunotherapy. It may take several months after the treatment for the seizures to stop. But seizures continue for some people even after immunotherapy. […] If you have symptoms other than seizures, such as trouble with memory or speech, you may need rehabilitation. Occupational and speech therapy can help. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy.

• #115 Autoimmune epilepsy | Beacon Health System

  https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy?content_id=CON-20573820

  Many people whose seizures are due to autoimmune encephalitis become seizure free after taking immunotherapy. It may take several months after the treatment for the seizures to stop. But seizures continue for some people even after immunotherapy. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy.

• #116 Autoimmune epilepsy | UM Health-Sparrow

  https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy

  Although antiseizure medicines don’t work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. However, the effectiveness of these medicines may be limited. […] Many people whose seizures are due to autoimmune encephalitis become seizure free after taking immunotherapy. It may take several months after the treatment for the seizures to stop. But seizures continue for some people even after immunotherapy. […] If you have symptoms other than seizures, such as trouble with memory or speech, you may need rehabilitation. Occupational and speech therapy can help. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy.

• #117 Autoimmune Epilepsy: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

  https://www.healthline.com/health/epilepsy/autoimmune-epilepsy

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a newly defined group of conditions characterized by recurrent seizures associated with autoimmunity. […] Autoimmune epilepsy develops when your immune system attacks healthy brain tissue. The underlying cause is not fully known. […] The main treatment for autoimmune epilepsy is a combination of anti-epileptic drugs to stop seizures and immunotherapy to reduce inflammation in your brain. […] An early initiation of immunotherapy is associated with a favorable outcome. It may improve your outlook and reduce serious complications. […] People with cancer-related autoimmune epilepsy generally have worse outcomes than people who develop autoimmune epilepsy with other underlying causes.

• #118

  https://aesnet.org/abstractslisting/rituximab-for-the-treatment-of-intractable-epilepsy-due-to-autoimmune-encephalitis–case-series

  Rituximab is an monoclonal antibody that depletes B-cells, which are precursors to plasma cells that secrete pathogenic antibodies. […] All patients demonstrated complete epilepsy control and improvement in symptoms with rituximab. […] She remains seizure-free on rituximab for 1 year with improvement in cognition to premorbid levels. […] He demonstrated full recovery and remains asymptomatic on rituximab for 6 months. […] These results suggest that empiric treatment with rituximab can be considered as add-on therapy for the treatment of recalcitrant status epilepticus.

• #119 Autoimmune Epilepsy Testing – Mayo Clinic LaboratoriesplayEpilepsyGABA-A receptor antibodies

  https://news.mayocliniclabs.com/neurology/autoimmune-neurology/epilepsy/

  Autoimmune epilepsy is increasingly recognized in the spectrum of immune-mediated neurological disorders, which can be characterized by detection of neural autoantibodies in serum or spinal fluid and responsiveness to immunotherapy. […] Identifying epilepsy as autoimmune-mediated is crucial because patients may benefit from immune suppression, while traditional antiepileptic therapy may not be effective. […] Our cell-based GABA-A receptor antibody test is recommended — in conjunction with other autoimmune neurology profiles — for patients who present with encephalopathy with seizures. […] Because disease associated with the GABA-A receptor antibody is responsive to immunotherapy if treated early, accurate and timely testing is critical. […] 75% of GABA-A receptor-positive patients had a partial or complete recovery with proper treatment.

• #120 Identification and Treatment of Autoimmune Epilepsy – Contemporary Advances in Epilepsy

  https://www.medpagetoday.com/resource-centers/contemporary-advances-epilepsy/identification-and-treatment-autoimmune-epilepsy/2088

  Good seizure outcomes (ie, a >50% reduction in seizure frequency at the first follow-up visit) were strongly tied to the use of immunomodulatory therapy, particularly intravenous methylprednisolone or plasmapheresis. […] The concept that some of these patients that have medically intractable epilepsy actually have a treatable and potentially reversible condition is very important. […] If you diagnose autoimmune epilepsy in these patients early and treat them, you can actually cure them.

• #121 Unraveling Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://www.neurologylive.com/view/unraveling-autoimmune-epilepsy

  Most experts feel that a better understanding of the pathophysiology of autoimmune epilepsy is the way forward. We are currently focusing on how the B cells produce antibodies, and how these antibodies interfere with target antigens, said Irani, whose most recent research has focused on exploring the characteristics and pathogenic potential of the LGI1 antibody. Understanding these key mechanisms could pave the way to establishing innovative methods of blocking the antibody effects.

• #122 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  Previous studies have shown that the earlier initiation of immunotherapy will result in faster recovery and a better prognosis. The prognosis depends on the depth of autoimmunity and the presence of neuronal damage. In NMDAR encephalitis, although the receptors are regenerated when the disease antibody is removed, delayed immunotherapy will prolong the disease duration and increase morbidity. […] Approximately 15% of patients still do not respond well to immunotherapy treatment, and so future research needs to focus on patients with refractory autoimmune epilepsy. The pathomechanism first has to be clarified in order to determine why current immunotherapies are ineffective. Other therapeutic options including those that target the innate immunity are worth considering. The duration of immunotherapy maintenance should also be addressed.

• #123 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  Previous studies have shown that the earlier initiation of immunotherapy will result in faster recovery and a better prognosis. The prognosis depends on the depth of autoimmunity and the presence of neuronal damage. In NMDAR encephalitis, although the receptors are regenerated when the disease antibody is removed, delayed immunotherapy will prolong the disease duration and increase morbidity. […] Approximately 15% of patients still do not respond well to immunotherapy treatment, and so future research needs to focus on patients with refractory autoimmune epilepsy. The pathomechanism first has to be clarified in order to determine why current immunotherapies are ineffective. Other therapeutic options including those that target the innate immunity are worth considering. The duration of immunotherapy maintenance should also be addressed.

• #124 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  Previous studies have shown that the earlier initiation of immunotherapy will result in faster recovery and a better prognosis. The prognosis depends on the depth of autoimmunity and the presence of neuronal damage. In NMDAR encephalitis, although the receptors are regenerated when the disease antibody is removed, delayed immunotherapy will prolong the disease duration and increase morbidity. […] Approximately 15% of patients still do not respond well to immunotherapy treatment, and so future research needs to focus on patients with refractory autoimmune epilepsy. The pathomechanism first has to be clarified in order to determine why current immunotherapies are ineffective. Other therapeutic options including those that target the innate immunity are worth considering. The duration of immunotherapy maintenance should also be addressed.

• #125 :: JCN :: Journal of Clinical Neurology

  https://www.thejcn.com/DOIx.php?id=10.3988/jcn.2020.16.4.519

  The occurrence of only sporadic seizures in autoimmune epilepsy will give clinicians more time to complete the differential diagnosis, and treatment and immunotherapy can be applied over days and even weeks. […] However, an AED is an adjuvant treatment in autoimmune epilepsy, and few cases of seizure are prevented by an AED alone. […] The first step is to control seizures by the appropriate administration of AEDs. […] Early empirical immunotherapy should be actively considered for these patients. […] The duration of immunotherapy maintenance should also be addressed. […] The prognosis depends on the depth of autoimmunity and the presence of neuronal damage. […] In NMDAR encephalitis, although the receptors are regenerated when the disease antibody is removed, delayed immunotherapy will prolong the disease duration and increase morbidity. […] Therefore, clinicians should fully discuss the diagnosis and treatment approaches with the patient and their caregivers before deciding whether they will apply immunotherapeutics.

• #126 Unraveling Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://www.neurologylive.com/view/unraveling-autoimmune-epilepsy

  Most experts feel that a better understanding of the pathophysiology of autoimmune epilepsy is the way forward. We are currently focusing on how the B cells produce antibodies, and how these antibodies interfere with target antigens, said Irani, whose most recent research has focused on exploring the characteristics and pathogenic potential of the LGI1 antibody. Understanding these key mechanisms could pave the way to establishing innovative methods of blocking the antibody effects.

• #127 Azthena logo with the word Azthena

  https://www.news-medical.net/news/20140514/Autoimmune-epilepsy-diagnostics-an-interview-with-Dr-Joseph-J-Higgins-Medical-Director-Neurology-Athena-Diagnostics-a-business-of-Quest-Diagnostics.aspx

  A growing body of literature demonstrates an autoimmune basis in the etiology of some forms of epilepsy. […] Autoimmune epilepsy requires different diagnostic techniques. For this disorder, in addition to imaging exams like MRI and cerebrospinal fluid, molecular tests can identify particular autoimmune markers implicated in the condition through a blood test. […] We have just released a multi-analyte panel to enable the physician to streamline the evaluation of a patient based on the presence of antibodies well correlated in the literature with autoimmune epilepsy. […] With this information, a physician may arrive at a reliable diagnosis more quickly, and initiate immunotherapy as well as traditional anticonvulsant therapy. We believe this test therefore reflects a significant diagnostic advance for autoimmune epilepsy. […] Early and accurate diagnosis is the most critical piece to the optimal delivery of healthcare services. […] We believe our new epilepsy tests will help more patients receive earlier diagnosis and treatment for epilepsy.

• #128 Biomarkers for epileptogenesis in patients with autoimmune epilepsy

  https://www.oaepublish.com/articles/2347-8659.2020.29

  Autoimmune epilepsy (AE) is a general term to describe recurrent seizures that have an immune-mediated origin. It is increasingly being recognized as a cause of epilepsy due to accumulating evidence supporting an immune-mediated pathogenesis in patients who have shown resistance to traditional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). […] The importance of early diagnosis of AE cannot be overstated, as prompt immunotherapy is important for seizure reduction. […] The goal of this review was to provide an overview of the following biomarkers that have been associated with AE: AMPAR, LGl1, CASPR2, DPPX, GABAAR, GABABR, GFAP, GlyR, mGluR5, NMDAR, VGCC (P/Q types), amphiphysin, ANNA-1, CRMP-5, GAD65, and Ma1/Ma2 antibodies. […] It has been demonstrated that AE does not respond well to conventional antiepileptic treatment but may respond better to targeted immunotherapies in combination with AEDs.

• #129 Autoimmune Epilepsy Testing – Mayo Clinic LaboratoriesplayEpilepsyGABA-A receptor antibodies

  https://news.mayocliniclabs.com/neurology/autoimmune-neurology/epilepsy/

  Autoimmune epilepsy is increasingly recognized in the spectrum of immune-mediated neurological disorders, which can be characterized by detection of neural autoantibodies in serum or spinal fluid and responsiveness to immunotherapy. […] Identifying epilepsy as autoimmune-mediated is crucial because patients may benefit from immune suppression, while traditional antiepileptic therapy may not be effective. […] Our cell-based GABA-A receptor antibody test is recommended — in conjunction with other autoimmune neurology profiles — for patients who present with encephalopathy with seizures. […] Because disease associated with the GABA-A receptor antibody is responsive to immunotherapy if treated early, accurate and timely testing is critical. […] 75% of GABA-A receptor-positive patients had a partial or complete recovery with proper treatment.

• #130 Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance and Option Care co-sponsoring Mayo Clinic Trial on IVIg – Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance

  https://aealliance.org/mayo-clinic-trial-on-ivig/

  The Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance and Option Care Enterprises, Inc. are co-sponsoring a clinical trial at Mayo Clinic to evaluate intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment in patients with autoimmune epilepsy who fail to benefit from standard epilepsy medications. […] This study, the first of its kind, builds on Mayo Clinic research advances identifying new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune epilepsy. […] While preliminary research suggests IVIG may be beneficial for those with suspected autoimmune epilepsy, this will be the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to rigorously assess whether five weeks of treatment can reduce or stop seizures and improve cognitive performance in these patients. […] Option Care, a leading national provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion services, is donating its clinical home infusion services and nursing care for patients participating in the trial. […] The AE Alliance strives to find a cure for autoimmune encephalitis through multi-disciplinary, collaborative research, and clinical care.

• #131 Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance and Option Care co-sponsoring Mayo Clinic Trial on IVIg – Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance

  https://aealliance.org/mayo-clinic-trial-on-ivig/

  The Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance and Option Care Enterprises, Inc. are co-sponsoring a clinical trial at Mayo Clinic to evaluate intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment in patients with autoimmune epilepsy who fail to benefit from standard epilepsy medications. […] This study, the first of its kind, builds on Mayo Clinic research advances identifying new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune epilepsy. […] While preliminary research suggests IVIG may be beneficial for those with suspected autoimmune epilepsy, this will be the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to rigorously assess whether five weeks of treatment can reduce or stop seizures and improve cognitive performance in these patients. […] Option Care, a leading national provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion services, is donating its clinical home infusion services and nursing care for patients participating in the trial. […] The AE Alliance strives to find a cure for autoimmune encephalitis through multi-disciplinary, collaborative research, and clinical care.

• #132 Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance and Option Care co-sponsoring Mayo Clinic Trial on IVIg – Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance

  https://aealliance.org/mayo-clinic-trial-on-ivig/

  The Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance and Option Care Enterprises, Inc. are co-sponsoring a clinical trial at Mayo Clinic to evaluate intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment in patients with autoimmune epilepsy who fail to benefit from standard epilepsy medications. […] This study, the first of its kind, builds on Mayo Clinic research advances identifying new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune epilepsy. […] While preliminary research suggests IVIG may be beneficial for those with suspected autoimmune epilepsy, this will be the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to rigorously assess whether five weeks of treatment can reduce or stop seizures and improve cognitive performance in these patients. […] Option Care, a leading national provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion services, is donating its clinical home infusion services and nursing care for patients participating in the trial. […] The AE Alliance strives to find a cure for autoimmune encephalitis through multi-disciplinary, collaborative research, and clinical care.

• #133 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  All patients with suspected autoimmune epilepsy should have basic labs, routine EEG with or without prolonged video-EEG capturing their typical seizure types, brain MRI with and without contrast, positron emission tomography (PET), and a lumbar puncture with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis to rule out infectious etiologies. […] Currently, no data from randomized controlled trials is available. Observational studies and clinical experience suggest that a response to immunotherapy in epilepsy (RITE) score 7 predicts a favorable response to immunotherapy. First-line treatment consists of either intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) (1 g/day for 3 to 5 days) or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (0.4g/kg/day for 3-5 days). If there is no response to the first agent, it is reasonable to try the second.

• #134 Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2018-oct/autoimmune-epilepsy

  All patients with suspected autoimmune epilepsy should have basic labs, routine EEG with or without prolonged video-EEG capturing their typical seizure types, brain MRI with and without contrast, positron emission tomography (PET), and a lumbar puncture with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis to rule out infectious etiologies. […] Currently, no data from randomized controlled trials is available. Observational studies and clinical experience suggest that a response to immunotherapy in epilepsy (RITE) score 7 predicts a favorable response to immunotherapy. First-line treatment consists of either intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) (1 g/day for 3 to 5 days) or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (0.4g/kg/day for 3-5 days). If there is no response to the first agent, it is reasonable to try the second.

• #135 Autoimmune epilepsy – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20576912

  An autoimmune epilepsy diagnosis begins with a physical exam and a review of your symptoms. […] Lab tests check for antibodies in the immune system that are attacking brain cells and causing seizures. […] Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your autoimmune epilepsy-related health concerns. […] Autoimmune epilepsy treatment differs from the treatment used for other types of epilepsy. Healthcare professionals use immunotherapy to reduce the immune system activity and treat seizures. […] Your healthcare professional also may recommend plasma exchange. A healthcare professional removes the liquid part of your blood and separates it from your blood cells. […] Although antiseizure medicines don’t work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy. […] Autoimmune epilepsy care at Mayo Clinic.

• #136 Clinical Approach to Autoimmune Epilepsy

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7541993/

  Moreover, the occurrence of only sporadic seizures in autoimmune epilepsy will give clinicians more time to complete the differential diagnosis, and treatment and immunotherapy can be applied over days and even weeks. The first step is to control seizures by the appropriate administration of AEDs. However, an AED is an adjuvant treatment in autoimmune epilepsy, and few cases of seizure are prevented by an AED alone. The next step is to apply a maximum diagnostic effort. Empirical immunotherapy is often required since it takes days or even weeks for the results to be obtained in the extensive testing required for a differential diagnosis. […] Approximately 15% of patients still do not respond well to immunotherapy treatment, and so future research needs to focus on patients with refractory autoimmune epilepsy. The pathomechanism first has to be clarified in order to determine why current immunotherapies are ineffective. Other therapeutic options including those that target the innate immunity are worth considering. The duration of immunotherapy maintenance should also be addressed. This review is mainly based on evidence gathered from previous studies, but expert opinions are also presented to address certain unknown areas. Further studies are needed to provide supporting data for these expert opinions.

• #137 Autoimmune epilepsy – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20576892

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a type of epilepsy where seizures are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking brain cells. […] Antiseizure medicines usually don’t do enough to manage seizures in people with autoimmune epilepsy. Instead, immunotherapy medicines help reduce the immune response on the brain. […] When immunotherapy is started early, it can reduce inflammation and improve seizures. For some people, treatment can stop seizures completely. For others, seizures may continue after treatment. […] Autoimmune epilepsy is caused by the immune system attacking brain cells and leading to seizures. […] Autoimmune epilepsy complications can include serious seizures that last more than five minutes or occur one after another. The person isn’t conscious in between the seizures. These serious seizures are known as status epilepticus. They need emergency medical attention.

• #138 Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Epilepsy Center | Northwestern Medicine

  https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/epilepsy-and-seizure-disorders

  The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center offers specialized care for epilepsy and seizure disorders to help improve your quality of life. […] The center is made up of a multidisciplinary team which includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, as well as specialized nurses and EEG technicians who all are committed to providing excellent care for patients with seizures. […] We also offer the only Women’s Epilepsy Program in Illinois. […] Immunotherapy For Autoimmune Epilepsy. […] The mainstay of treatment for epilepsy and seizure disorders is based on medications. However, it is important to treat other problems which may occur with epilepsy. […] Immunotherapy For Autoimmune Epilepsy.

• #139 Uncovering the Mysteries and Multidisciplinary Care for Autoimmune Epilepsy Patients | UNM Health Blog | Albuquerque, New Mexico

  https://unmhealth.org/stories/2024/02/autoimmune-epilepsy-patients.html

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a disease in our bodys own immune system, which usually protect us, but instead attacks our brain, resulting in sudden seizures that often present as being refractory and associated with other neurological and psychiatric comorbidity. […] In our epilepsy clinic, we also offer dedicated multidisciplinary care for patients with autoimmune epilepsy and support for families. […] Most patients with autoimmune epilepsy need ongoing care, with follow-up visits every two to four months with ongoing chemotherapy or immune suppression treatments. The team involved with this specialized care includes an autoimmune epilepsy faculty and a range of providers, such as: […] We also make referral to appropriate teams, including: […] If you or your loved one has refractory epilepsy or autoimmune epilepsy, please contact the UNM HSC neurology clinic at 505-272-3160.

• #140 Autoimmune epilepsy | UM Health-Sparrow

  https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/autoimmune-epilepsy

  Although antiseizure medicines don’t work as well in people with autoimmune epilepsy, they may still play a role in your treatment. However, the effectiveness of these medicines may be limited. […] Many people whose seizures are due to autoimmune encephalitis become seizure free after taking immunotherapy. It may take several months after the treatment for the seizures to stop. But seizures continue for some people even after immunotherapy. […] If you have symptoms other than seizures, such as trouble with memory or speech, you may need rehabilitation. Occupational and speech therapy can help. […] Rasmussen syndrome, which mainly affects children, usually doesn’t respond to medicines. Brain surgery often is needed to treat this type of autoimmune epilepsy.

• #141 Autoimmune Epilepsy Diagnosis and Treatment | Maggie Yu MD, IFMCP

  https://drmaggieyu.com/blog/autoimmune-epilepsy-diagnosis-and-treatment/

  An accurate diagnosis ensures you get the right treatment. Misdiagnosis can lead to ineffective treatments and worsening symptoms. […] Immunotherapy is a key treatment for autoimmune epilepsy. It involves using medications to suppress the immune system. Steroids and immunoglobulin are common options. Steroids reduce inflammation in the brain. They can be given orally or intravenously. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) helps modulate the immune response. […] Patients with autoimmune epilepsy require careful monitoring. Regular assessments help determine if treatments are working. Healthcare professionals use various tools, like CT scans and blood tests, to track progress. […] Full disclosure affects the choice of diagnostic tests. Doctors may order blood tests to check for specific antibodies. MRI scans can show brain inflammation linked to autoimmune conditions.

• #142 Autoimmune Epilepsy Diagnosis and Treatment | Maggie Yu MD, IFMCP

  https://drmaggieyu.com/blog/autoimmune-epilepsy-diagnosis-and-treatment/

  An accurate diagnosis ensures you get the right treatment. Misdiagnosis can lead to ineffective treatments and worsening symptoms. […] Immunotherapy is a key treatment for autoimmune epilepsy. It involves using medications to suppress the immune system. Steroids and immunoglobulin are common options. Steroids reduce inflammation in the brain. They can be given orally or intravenously. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) helps modulate the immune response. […] Patients with autoimmune epilepsy require careful monitoring. Regular assessments help determine if treatments are working. Healthcare professionals use various tools, like CT scans and blood tests, to track progress. […] Full disclosure affects the choice of diagnostic tests. Doctors may order blood tests to check for specific antibodies. MRI scans can show brain inflammation linked to autoimmune conditions.

• #143

  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13311-019-00750-3

  Immunotherapeutic agents are classically divided into first-line (acute phase) and second-line therapies. […] In patients with rapid progression and refractory course, more aggressive immunotherapy is needed including a combination of both first- and second-line therapies. […] In all autoimmune epilepsy patients, AEDs should be used along with immunotherapy treatment. […] Patients with autoimmune epilepsy should be followed up regularly, preferably by an epileptologist in conjunction with a neuroimmunologist.

• #144 Uncovering the Mysteries and Multidisciplinary Care for Autoimmune Epilepsy Patients | UNM Health Blog | Albuquerque, New Mexico

  https://unmhealth.org/stories/2024/02/autoimmune-epilepsy-patients.html

  Autoimmune epilepsy is a disease in our bodys own immune system, which usually protect us, but instead attacks our brain, resulting in sudden seizures that often present as being refractory and associated with other neurological and psychiatric comorbidity. […] In our epilepsy clinic, we also offer dedicated multidisciplinary care for patients with autoimmune epilepsy and support for families. […] Most patients with autoimmune epilepsy need ongoing care, with follow-up visits every two to four months with ongoing chemotherapy or immune suppression treatments. The team involved with this specialized care includes an autoimmune epilepsy faculty and a range of providers, such as: […] We also make referral to appropriate teams, including: […] If you or your loved one has refractory epilepsy or autoimmune epilepsy, please contact the UNM HSC neurology clinic at 505-272-3160.

• #145 Epilepsy & Autoimmune Disease: Are They Linked?

  https://www.neurologylive.com/view/epilepsy-autoimmune-disease-are-they-linked

  Epilepsy and autoimmune disease are linked, with the presence of one disorder increasing the risk for the other and vice versa, according to a study published online in Seizure. […] Our meta-analysis suggests that clinicians who specialize in epilepsy should pay close attention to insidious systemic autoimmune disease and try to diagnose it. Additionally, clinicians who specialize in immune diseases should focus on preventing epilepsy regardless of the patients age, wrote lead author Zou Xiaoyi, MD, of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China, and colleagues. […] A meta-analysis suggests that epilepsy and autoimmune disease are linked: epilepsy was linked to 2.5 times increased risk of systemic autoimmune disease, and systemic autoimmune disease was linked to 2.7 times increased risk of epilepsy. […] Risk of systemic autoimmune disease and epilepsy were higher in younger compared to older patients. […] More studies are needed to evaluate the mechanisms underlying this relationship, and to confirm whether risk increases with younger age.

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