Precipitating events:
(1) teratoma, small cell lung cancer, Hodgin's disease and other tumors (paraneoplastic)
(2) Herpes simplex encephalitis
(3) other viral infection
(4) idiopathic
Clinical findings:
(1) psychiatric changes (personality change, irritability, depression, psychosis, other)
(2) seizures
(3) memory loss
(4) variable dementia
(5) dysautonomia
(6) dyskinesia
(7) variable language dysfunction, speech disorder
(8) hypoventilation
(9) decreased level of consciousness
The EEG is often abnormal with focal or generalized slow activity with or without epileptic discharges. A unique finding is extreme delta brush.
Demonstration of antibodies in serum or CSF is helpful in making the diagnosis.
The diagnosis requires exclusion of other disorders.
Plasmapheresis may be used to reduce the serum concentration of antibody, together with immunosuppression and corticosteroids.
