Autoimmune Encephalitis and Related Disorders of the Nervous System

Autoimmune encephalitis, diseases where the immune system attacks the brain, have become a fast-moving field of study in recent years. The authors, Drs Josep Dalmau and Francesc Graus, have played pivotal roles in the discovery of these diseases. Here, they provide a comprehensive clinical guide to the differential diagnosis of these disorders, illustrated with over 200 figures, 30 videos and numerous clinical vignettes, many from their own practice. Clinical descriptions are straightforward, emphasizing distinctive diagnostic clues for each disease. The strengths and weaknesses of diagnostic tests and clinical criteria are discussed extensively, as well as the best evidence supporting the use of available treatments. There is an up-to-date description of immunological triggers and comorbidities, and well-illustrated and clearly summarized pathogenic mechanisms and disease models. Gain full HTML access of the whole book, including supplementary videos, via a scratch-off code inside the cover.

The authors, Josep Dalmau and Francesc Graus, have been at the forefront of the field over recent years and are perfectly positioned to write a comprehensive and practical reference guide to the differential diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune encephalitis

Covers the basic concepts of disease mechanisms and pathogenesis, providing a solid grounding in immunology and neurology

A Frequently Asked Questions chapter gives 90 example questions the authors have encountered and are answered briefly as a quick reference, with links to detailed information in the relevant chapters for in-depth guidance

Gain full HTML access of the whole book, with over 30 supplementary videos, via a scratch-off code inside the cover

Over 30 high quality videos and 200 figures illustrate the concepts covered in the book and help readers connect to the material along with numerous clinical vignettes that ground information in real world scenarios

Table of Contents:

Section 1. Overview:
1. Importance, definitions, history and classification of the autoimmune encephalitides
2. General approach to diagnosis
3. Pathogenesis and disease mechanisms in neuronal antibody-mediated encephalitis
Section 2. Autoantibodies and Antigens:
4. Intracellular antigens
5. Cell surface antigens
Section 3. Specific Syndromes and Diseases:
6. Limbic encephalitis
7. Autoimmunity against proteins associated with voltage-gated potassium channels
8. Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis
9. Seizures and autoantibodies against surface antigens
10. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease
11. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders and glial fibrillary acidic protein autoimmunity
12. Autoimmune cerebellar ataxias
13. Autoimmune brainstem encephalitis
14. Autoimmunity against the inhibitory synapsis
15. Anti-IgLON5 disease
16. Autoimmune and inflammatory encephalopathies as complication of cancer
17. Deconstructing Hashimoto encephalopathy
18. CNS syndromes at the frontier of autoimmune encephalitis
Section 4. Autoimmunity in Neurologic and Psychiatric Diseases:
19. Autoimmune psychosis
20. Psychiatric manifestations of autoimmune encephalitis
21. Abnormal movements in neurological autoimmune disorders
22. Sleep and autoimmunity
23. Immunity, inflammation and epilepsy
24. Autoimmune dementia: a useful term?
25. Frequently asked questions.