Other Titles
Rising Star Poster/Presentation - Rapid Presentation Round
Abstract
Autoimmune Encephalitis (AE) is a disease in which the cells of the immune system attack the brain, causing inflammation also known as encephalitis. Brain Inflammation diminishes its proper functioning and can severely impact basic processing skills. The presentation of AE is difficult to identify, because it varies depending on the antibodies involved and the location of inflammation. Autoimmune encephalitis can gradually worsen over time, and can even be fatal. The disease is rare, but as diagnosis methods improve, more and more cases are being discovered. Autoimmune Encephalitis has been found to be more common in women than men. There are 13 known forms of autoimmune encephalitis, and there is no cure for any form. Anti N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis, the most common form of AE, has a recovery rate of ~ 80% after two years of treatment. The sudden onset of symptoms and often rapid decline in health leaves families completely unprepared for how much their lives will change. People with AE after recovery are twice as likely to develop an anxiety disorder, and nearly three times as likely to develop depression.
Psychiatric symptoms of autoimmune encephalitis are commonly preceded by infections or flu-like illnesses and begin weeks to months after infection. Typically, diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis requires:
- Short term memory loss and altered mental state within three months of each other
- At least one of the following
- Numbness, weakness, or paralysis in a specific limb/area of the body
- Unexplained seizures
- Elevated WBC count
- MRI showing brain inflammation
Further testing may be done to identify the targeted antigen type of encephalitis. For example tumor screening may be necessary for anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, as it commonly associated with teratoma, a tumor found in the ovaries (this may contribute to the reason why a large majority of people diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis are women).
Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a common treat for autoimmune encephalitis. IVIG removes harmful antibodies from a patient’s blood, and replaces them with antibodies from the plasma of healthy donors to reduce inflammation. Studies have shown IVIG to be effective in improving the functional outcomes of autoimmune encephalitis. Immunosuppressant medications, such as Rituximab, work by suppressing the immune system function to improve inflammation, though there is a higher risk of infection. Steroids can also be prescribed to reduce inflammation.
Oftentimes patients with AE may experience mental and behavioral abnormalities, so nurses may have to collaborate with psychiatrists to create a care plan. It is crucial to pay particular attention to nonverbal cues, because patients with communication impairments may not be able to express pain or discomfort. Nurses should also be informed on the past medical history of the patient so that they can recognize risks. Basic vital signs should be monitored regularly, especially after receiving treatment. Teaching and reinforcing healthy coping strategies is crucial to the overall well being of patients with autoimmune encephalitis. mental health should be assessed by the nurse daily to gauge an understanding of how a patient is coping.
Notes
References:
Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance (n.d). What is AE? https://aealliance.org/patient-support/what-is-ae/
Cleveland Clinic (n.d). Diagnosis and Management of Autoimmune Encephalitis. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/neurological/depts/multiple-sclerosis/ms-approaches/diagnosis-and-management-of-autoimmune-encephalitis
Dubey, D., Pittock, S. J., Kelly, C. R., McKeon, A., Lopez-Chiriboga, A. S., Lennon, V. A., Gadoth, A., Smith, C. Y., Bryant, S. C., Klein, C. J., Aksamit, A. J., Toledano, M., Boeve, B. F., Tillema, J. M., & Flanagan, E. P. (2018). Autoimmune encephalitis epidemiology and a comparison to infectious encephalitis. Annals of neurology, 83(1), 166–177. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.25131
Gole S, Anand A. Autoimmune Encephalitis. [Updated 2023 Jan 2]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK578203/
Oregon Health & Science University Brain Institute (n.d). Autoimmune Encephalitis. https://www.ohsu.edu/brain-institute/autoimmune-encephalitis#:~:text=What%20is%20autoimmune%20encephalitis%3F,that%20mistakenly%20attack%20brain%20cells
Samanta D, Lui F. Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis. [Updated 2023 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551672/
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine (n.d). Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis. https://www.med.upenn.edu/autoimmuneneurology/nmdar-encephalitis.html
Yang, L., Jiang, Q., Guan, H., & Bo, H. (2019). Nursing care in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis: A case series. Medicine, 98(46), e17856. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000017856
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Demyelinating Diseases, Inflammation, Demyelinating Diseases -- Psychosocial Factors, Autoimmune Encephalitis, Brain Inflamation
Recommended Citation
Hyde, Ophelia, "Autoimmune Encephalitis: The Psychological Impact of Brain Inflammation" (2026). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 6.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2024/posters_2024/6
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Washington, DC, USA
Conference Year
2024
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-02-17
Autoimmune Encephalitis: The Psychological Impact of Brain Inflammation
Washington, DC, USA
Autoimmune Encephalitis (AE) is a disease in which the cells of the immune system attack the brain, causing inflammation also known as encephalitis. Brain Inflammation diminishes its proper functioning and can severely impact basic processing skills. The presentation of AE is difficult to identify, because it varies depending on the antibodies involved and the location of inflammation. Autoimmune encephalitis can gradually worsen over time, and can even be fatal. The disease is rare, but as diagnosis methods improve, more and more cases are being discovered. Autoimmune Encephalitis has been found to be more common in women than men. There are 13 known forms of autoimmune encephalitis, and there is no cure for any form. Anti N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis, the most common form of AE, has a recovery rate of ~ 80% after two years of treatment. The sudden onset of symptoms and often rapid decline in health leaves families completely unprepared for how much their lives will change. People with AE after recovery are twice as likely to develop an anxiety disorder, and nearly three times as likely to develop depression.
Psychiatric symptoms of autoimmune encephalitis are commonly preceded by infections or flu-like illnesses and begin weeks to months after infection. Typically, diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis requires:
- Short term memory loss and altered mental state within three months of each other
- At least one of the following
- Numbness, weakness, or paralysis in a specific limb/area of the body
- Unexplained seizures
- Elevated WBC count
- MRI showing brain inflammation
Further testing may be done to identify the targeted antigen type of encephalitis. For example tumor screening may be necessary for anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, as it commonly associated with teratoma, a tumor found in the ovaries (this may contribute to the reason why a large majority of people diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis are women).
Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a common treat for autoimmune encephalitis. IVIG removes harmful antibodies from a patient’s blood, and replaces them with antibodies from the plasma of healthy donors to reduce inflammation. Studies have shown IVIG to be effective in improving the functional outcomes of autoimmune encephalitis. Immunosuppressant medications, such as Rituximab, work by suppressing the immune system function to improve inflammation, though there is a higher risk of infection. Steroids can also be prescribed to reduce inflammation.
Oftentimes patients with AE may experience mental and behavioral abnormalities, so nurses may have to collaborate with psychiatrists to create a care plan. It is crucial to pay particular attention to nonverbal cues, because patients with communication impairments may not be able to express pain or discomfort. Nurses should also be informed on the past medical history of the patient so that they can recognize risks. Basic vital signs should be monitored regularly, especially after receiving treatment. Teaching and reinforcing healthy coping strategies is crucial to the overall well being of patients with autoimmune encephalitis. mental health should be assessed by the nurse daily to gauge an understanding of how a patient is coping.
Description
When the brain is under attack, every mechanism in our bodies is susceptible to impairment, especially when the perpetrator is your own immune system. This is the case with Autoimmune Encephalitis, a disease in which antigens of the brain are targeted, causing inflammation and symptoms resembling schizophrenia.