J Korean Epilepsy Soc.
2012 Dec;16(2):59-62.
Anti-GABA-B Receptor Autoimmune Encephalitis
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Neurology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Autoimmune Encephalitis Research Group, Seoul Encephalitis Project, Seoul, Korea. stemcell.snu@gmail.com
Abstract
- Autoimmune encephalitis is a group of disorders that predominantly affects the limbic system, with or without an associated neoplasm. Recently GABAB receptor antibody has been identified in a subset of encephalitides. We report a case of anti-GABAB receptor antibody encephalitis in a 64-year-old woman, who presented with transient, recurrent abnormal behavior and complex partial seizures. She had a history of breast cancer, which was in complete remission and her workup, including blood, imaging and routine cerebrospinal fluid studies was unremarkable. Indirect immunofluorescence assays with patient's serum revealed the presence of autoantibodies against GABAB receptor. She showed significant improvement after initiating immunotherapy. This case illustrates the importance of autoantibody testing in the diagnosis of encephalitis.