Cerebrospinal Fluid Level of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) Antibody in Patients with Encephalitis

Abstract

A utoimmune encephalitis is a type of encephalitis with antibodies to cell surface. This disorder predominates in young women and children although it can affect males and people of all ages (the youngest and the oldest patient described were 6 month and 85 year-old). Most common auto immune (non paraneoplastic) antibodies associated with limbic encephalitis are Voltage gated potassium channel antibodies, NMDA receptor antibodies and GAD receptor antibodies which may also accompany paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis. Classic presentation includes the rapid development of irritability, short-term memory loss, depression, sleep disturbances, hallucinations, seizures and Confusion. The neuropsychiatric symptoms which are often preceded by prodromal headache, fever or other features that may suggest an infection. In teenagers and young women, the onset is characterized by prominent psychiatric manifestations (delusional thoughts, bizarre behavior, psychosis, catatonia), followed by a decrease of consciousness, seizures, orofacial or limb dyskinesias, and autonomic instability.