Question

Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis

What causes this condition?

Answer 1

Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune inflammation of brain. In this, there is auto-antibodies produced against the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptors (NMDA) in the brain. NMDA receptor is a glutamate receptor found in the nerve cells which also serves as an ion protein channel and which is concerned with the proper functioning of synapses in the brain.

The most common cause of Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is an underlying teratoma tumor of ovaries. As teratoma contains tissue elements from different types of organ system including nervous system, some of these nervous tissue present in the teratoma cross reacts NMDA receptors in the brain and produces antibodies against them causing inflammation of the brain. Herpes simplex virus associated encephalitis can also serve as a trigger for Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.

In Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis there is severe brain inflammation which presents as headache and fever. Later condition of the patient might worsen and there can be seizures, cardiovascular and respiratory difficulties, features of psychosis like hallucinations (both auditory and visual hallucinations).