AE SYMPTOMS

Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) can produce a very wide range of neuro-psychiatric symptoms. A major

challenge in diagnosis is that different symptoms may appear at different

times and different levels of intensity, so that the disease may mimic many other disorders.

AE IS REFRACTORY TO ANTI-PSYCHOTIC MEDICATION

“Autoimmune Encephalitis is refractory
to antipsychotics; indeed, antipsychotic agents make affected patients much
worse, even to the point of developing something akin to neuroleptic
malignant syndrome.”
– Dr. Josep Dalmau

RECOVERY AND RELAPSE

For all types of autoimmune encephalitides, promptimmunotherapy has been associated
with a favorable outcome; spontaneous clinical improvement is infrequent.
The frequency of clinical relapse in the encephalitides associated with
antibodies against NMDAR, AMPAR, LGI1, CASPR2, or DPPX ranges
from 12 to 35%. Relapses often occur when immunotherapy is reduced or discontinued.

WHAT IS AE

Antibody Mediated Autoimmune Encephalitis (Encephalopathy) is a
rare disease that can be progressive or relapse-remitting. It is caused when the immune system makes
auto-antibodies that are not
supposed to be there.

LIVING WITH BRAIN INJURY

If you are an AE Warrior or you love and/or care for an AE Warrior
working toward recovery, know
that no matter the frustration,
no matter the time, no matter
the severity
– there is hope for improvement.

A LETTER FROM YOUR BRAIN

I’m glad to see that you are awake!
This is your brain talking. I had to find some way to communicate with you.
I feel like I barely survived WWIII and
am still not quite all in one piece. That’s
why I need you. I need you to take care
of me.

Anti-NMDAr Encephalitis Fact Sheet

The major role of our immune system is to recognize and get rid of infection. But sometimes some components of the immune system, called antibodies, may instead react with proteins in
our own body causing an autoimmune disease. When this reaction is against proteins in the brain it is called autoimmune encephalitis. If the brain protein is the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, the condition is termed NMDA-receptor antibody encephalitis, or anti-NMDAR encephalitis.

Benefits of Cognitive Excersises for AE Patients

Cognitive exercises are a great way to improve and preserve cognitive function after an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Here are some of the best cognitive exercises for ABI you can do at home to sharpen your mental skills. Just like how your body needs exercise to stay healthy, your brain needs to stay active in order to preserve function and recover from brain injury. Stimulating your brain through activity causes more neurons to fire, which helps keep your brain operating properly.