TY - JOUR
T1 - N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antibodies encephalitis mimicking an autistic regression
AU - Hacohen, Yael
AU - Wright, Sukhvir
AU - Gadian, Jonathan
AU - Vincent, Angela
AU - Lim, Ming
AU - Wassmer, Evangeline
AU - Lin, Jean Pierre
PY - 2016/10/1
Y1 - 2016/10/1
N2 - Expressive dysphasia and mutism are common clinical features in children and adults with N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibodies (NMDAR-Ab) encephalitis, and are likely to result from NMDAR hypofunction. A prodromal loss of social and communication skills can typify that of an autistic regression, particularly when presenting under the age of 3 years. Here we describe two toddlers who presented with developmental regression, particularly of their social communication skills, mimicking an autistic regression, who were found to have NMDAR-Ab in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Although both patients had some other neurological features, they were subtle, which resulted in delayed diagnosis of NMDAR-Ab encephalitis. Importantly, immunotherapy was beneficial in both patients, with significant improvement of their language skills and behaviour.
AB - Expressive dysphasia and mutism are common clinical features in children and adults with N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibodies (NMDAR-Ab) encephalitis, and are likely to result from NMDAR hypofunction. A prodromal loss of social and communication skills can typify that of an autistic regression, particularly when presenting under the age of 3 years. Here we describe two toddlers who presented with developmental regression, particularly of their social communication skills, mimicking an autistic regression, who were found to have NMDAR-Ab in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Although both patients had some other neurological features, they were subtle, which resulted in delayed diagnosis of NMDAR-Ab encephalitis. Importantly, immunotherapy was beneficial in both patients, with significant improvement of their language skills and behaviour.
UR - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dmcn.13169
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84985946932&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/dmcn.13169
DO - 10.1111/dmcn.13169
M3 - Article
C2 - 27255282
AN - SCOPUS:84985946932
SN - 0012-1622
VL - 58
SP - 1092
EP - 1094
JO - Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
JF - Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
IS - 10
ER -