Don’t Be Left Behind. Keep Up With THE HERD!
Supportive assistance guide for your AE Journey~
April 2023 1st Edition
In this Issue~
- *Children’s Corner (for all ages): Spring Themed Word Scramble, Clinical Features and Outcomes in Pediatric Autoimmune Encephalitis Associated With CASPR2 Antibody
- *ABI Rehabilitation: Spring Coloring
- *Helpful Tips for the AE Warrior: Obtaining Guardianship in Emergency Situations
- *Most Popular Visuals: Brain Injury Survivor, AE Warrior Poster
- *Featured AE Article: Everything to Know About Portacaths
- *Video: Autoimmune Encephalitis~Recognizing signs at onset, Diagnosis, and Treatment
- *Clinician’s Corner: Clinical Features, Immunotherapy, and Outcomes of Anti-Leucine-Rich Glioma-Inactivated-1 Encephalitis
- *Open Access: Neuropsychological Sequelae, Quality of Life and Adaptive Behavior in Children and Adolescents with Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis: A Narrative Review
- *Monthly Zoom Support Groups for Patients & Caregivers: Caregiver Monthly Zoom Support Group, #AETuesdayTries for patients and caregivers
- *AE Studies & Clinical Trial: The IGNITE Study, The ExTINGUISH Trial
- *AE Trivia Cards: The Single Most Important Educational/Rehabilitation Tool for AE
- *AE Warrior Store: Shop for Your AE Bling and Raise Awareness. Check out our new arrivals
- *Shop & Support IAES: Sign up for PayPal’s #GiveAtCheckOut and Amazon Smiles
Children’s Corner
Spring Themed Work Scramble
Word Scramble puzzles are a wonderful exercise to do for brain injury rehabilitation from AE. Word scramble exercises are a great activity to help children develop their problem-solving and analytical skills.
Clinical Features and Outcomes in Pediatric Autoimmune Encephalitis Associated With CASPR2 Antibody
Six patients were identified. Conclusion: CASPR2 antibody-associated autoimmune encephalitis is rare in children. Our findings suggest that this type of encephalitis seems to occur more frequently in older children. Patients respond well to immunotherapy and usually demonstrate a favorable clinical outcome. Associated tumors are extremely rare.
ABI Rehabilitation From AE
Spring Coloring Challenge
Art therapy addresses cognitive skills, attention, organization, and fine motor skills and has been shown to decrease stress and improve mindfulness. It’s a wonderful way to re-learn and re-train your brain from the brain injury caused by AE.
Helpful Tips for Patients & Families
Obtaining Guardianship in
Emergency Situations
Early in our illness we may be unable to manage our healthcare decisions, money or other decisions. In order for your spouse or parent to be able to be the decision maker, they would have to obtain temporary guardianship. This article explains the process.
Most Popular Visuals
Brain Injury Survivor
AE Warrior Poster
Featured AE Article
Everything to Know About Portacaths
AE patients who are receiving ongoing infusions may be wondering if getting a portacath is a good option. A portacath is a small piece of medical equipment that can make IV procedures simpler for healthcare professionals and more comfortable for patients. This article can answer many of your questions about portacaths, how they work, and the pros and cons of having one.
Video
Autoimmune Encephalitis ~ Recognizing signs at onset, Diagnosis, and Treatment
This short video explains how autoimmune encephalitis appears at onset, and how it is diagnosed and treated.
Clinician’s Corner
Clinical Features, Immunotherapy, and Outcomes of Anti-Leucine-Rich Glioma-Inactivated-1 Encephalitis
Results: The main clinical manifestations included epilepsy (100%), faciobrachial dystonic seizures (FBDS; 44.2%), cognitive dysfunction (95.3%), neuropsychiatric disturbances (76.7%), sleep disorders (58.1%), and disturbance of consciousness (48.8%). Twenty-two patients (51.2%) had hyponatremia, 31 (72.1%) had abnormal EEG results, and 30 (69.8%) had abnormal brain MRI scans, mainly involving the hippocampus (76.7%) or temporal lobe (40%). Twenty of 34 patients (58.8%) in a follow-up MRI examination exhibited hippocampal atrophy. Twenty-five patients (58.2%) were administered corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin, whereas 17 patients were treated only with corticosteroids. Forty-one patients (95.3%) had favorable outcomes after a median of 21.5 months (IQR: 7-43) of follow-up. Serum sodium level was a factor associated with a disabled status (odds ratio=0.81, 95% CI=0.66, 0.98, p=0.03). Anti-LGI1 encephalitis patients were characterized by seizures, FBDS, cognitive deficits, neuropsychiatric disturbances, and hyponatremia.
Conclusions: Most patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis are nonparaneoplastic, have low recurrence rates, and have favorable prognostic outcomes. Rapid evaluation, prompt immunotherapy, and long-term follow-up are essential in the care of anti-LGI1 encephalitis patients.
Open Access
Neuropsychological Sequelae, Quality of Life and Adaptive Behavior in Children and Adolescents with Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis: A Narrative Review
The present review article suggests that even several months after hospital discharge, most children and adolescents who have suffered from anti-NMDAR encephalitis may show neuropsychological sequelae involving memory, especially verbal memory, attentional resources and, in particular, executive functions. However, despite the following critical issues related to this disease, the emerging data suggest a favorable outcome from a long-term perspective. In fact, some cognitive skills, such as general intelligence, show good overall recovery over time. Additionally, although children diagnosed with anti-NMDAR encephalitis usually return to their daily life and previous activities, they may show a low quality of life.
Monthly Zoom Support Groups For Patients and Caregivers
Caregiver Monthly Zoom Support Group
The next monthly meeting will take place on April 13th at 6 pm PST/9 pm EST. The IAES Caregiver Support Group takes place on the 2nd Thursday of each month. This is a ‘safe space’ where caregivers can build relationships/friendships with others who are “walking that walk”, share/vent, and receive the support and direction they so richly deserve.
AE Caregivers have a variety of unique challenges that are different from the AE Warrior’s. Often they feel alone and need to be able to share their concerns with others who are on that same journey. Sometimes hearing a chorus of ‘Me Too!’ can have great healing power of its own. Additionally, some of you may qualify for services you are unaware of that could assist or solve a challenge you (or your loved one) are having. As topics are discussed, your hostess, Mari Davis, will direct you to available solutions, services and supports.
Your Hostess, IAES Support Services Coordinator Mari Wagner Davis, has 30 years of experience as an accredited Nurse Case Manager. Mari’s professional career prior to becoming ill with Autoimmune Encephalitis was to locate and arrange for the support services needed for patients when released from the hospital to rehabilitation or home.
#AETuesdayTries
The next monthly #AETuesdayTries zoom meet-up will take place on April 25th, and will always be the last Tuesday of each month.
“Tuesday Tries” addresses the emotional support and rehabilitation AE patients and caregivers require in recovering from autoimmune encephalitis by building your resilience. The program utilizes science-based exercises from the work of PERMA; Seligman, 2012.
IAES wants to foster your capacity in the belief that better days are ahead! “Tuesday Tries” is about practicing a strengths-based approach by “normalizing the try;” celebrating critical milestones in the recovery and care of AE patients and caregivers in order to build a more resilient network of care.
A workbook organizer, “Growing Your Resilience” has been created to accompany the #AETuesdayTries program and is located on the ‘Apps and Tools for AE Warriors’ page in the section: ‘Building Your Resilience’ on the IAES website under the ‘For Patients’ tab. A link to download the organizer is also provided within your e-mail confirmation when you register.
Join AE patients and caregivers of all ages and stages in their AE journey. Receive insights and encouragement from others and celebrate your critical milestones in recovery and care while building a more resilient personal AE network!
Your facilitator, Tessa McKenzie, IAES’ Chief Resilience Officer, is a life coach and studies “resilience” through her private practice, Envisage Vocation Creation and work with Johns Hopkins University’s Life Design Lab. Join Tessa and other AE patients and caregivers who are ready to “Share Your Try Tuesdays”. Tessa will provide prompts for the reframe of perceived failures as well as peer-to-peer validation of “wins” and opportunities for relationship building.
AE Studies and Clinical Trials
The ExTINGUISH Trial
This is the first-ever Clinical Trial for a promising new drug, Inebilizumab, to treat anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, and will be funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
This trial is actively recruiting. International Autoimmune Encephalitis Society is honored to be supporting the ExTINGUISH trial along with Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance and The anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis Foundation.
Main Inclusion Criteria (in part)
Enrollment is limited to 116 newly diagnosed patients with a confirmed diagnosis of anti-NMDAR Encephalitis who are 18 years or older. Patients must have received at least 3 days of methylprednisolone 1000 mg IV or equivalent corticosteroid within 30 days prior to randomization (Day 1). In addition, patients must have received EITHER of the following treatments within 30 days before randomization.
- IVIg, at a minimum dose of 2 g/kg
- Plasma exchange or plasmapheresis, with a minimum of 5 treatments. NOTE: These treatments may be provided during the screening period, but must be completed prior to randomization.
mRS of ≥3 at the screening visit, indicating at least moderate disability. Ability and willingness to attend study visits and complete the study.
The IGNITE Study
Drs. Emmanuel Mignot and Sergio Muñiz-Castrillo and their research group at Stanford University in California have requested IAES’s help in recruiting autoimmune encephalitis patients for The IGNITE study. This study aims to investigate the genetic predisposition to autoimmune encephalitis and related disorders. Patients must have an identified antibody to participate. The patient may have an active case or be in remission. This exciting study includes patients of all ages and all antibodies. Patients outside of the United States will need the physician who diagnosed them, usually a neurologist, to contact Dr. Muñiz-Castrillo directly. No travel is involved. Saliva and blood kits will be sent to you in the mail and can be returned by mail or dropped off at named participating pharmacies.
Your participation will help uncover that answer and your act of advocacy will eventually enhance lives! The first step to take is to fill out and submit the screening survey below.
Seronegative/antibody-negative patients can play an active advocacy role by distributing the IGNITE study flyer to their diagnosing doctor, and asking that it be posted at the infusion center you use, as well as hospitals and clinics you visit.
Sharing the flyer on your social media platforms will assist us in getting the highest level of participation possible.
AE Trivia Playing Cards
The perfect companion for patients, caregivers & therapists
Doctor Recommended
We appreciate the National Organization of Rare Diseases’ (NORD) enthusiastic support in recommending this groundbreaking product.
AE Warrior Store
Shop for Your AE Bling and Raise Awareness
Check out the two new t-shirt designs at the Autoimmune Encephalitis Warrior Store, the “Don’t Quit/Do IT #AEWarrior” and the colorful retro #AEWarrior design.
AE Warrior Store products proclaim the bravery and fighting spirit it takes to fight AE and regain your health. Shirts, hoodies, hats, puzzles, mugs, and gift items make this your one-stop shop for patients, caregivers, and friends who have a vested interest in raising awareness for Autoimmune Encephalitis. Designs can be transferred to any product you prefer. The proceeds of your purchase will immediately support Autoimmune Encephalitis patients, caregivers, and families who are walking this difficult journey.
IAES holds the trademark for #AEWarrior, AE Warrior, and Autoimmune Encephalitis Warrior and is the creator of these phrases. Proceeds also go to support research that may one day lead to a cure.
Don’t forget to #GiveAtCheckOut if you purchase your gift through PayPal! (See: Shop and Support IAES Through PayPal’s #GiveAtCheckOut program below).
The proceeds of your purchase will immediately support Autoimmune Encephalitis patients, caregivers, and families who are walking this difficult journey. Proceeds also go to support research that may one day lead to a cure.
Shop & Support IAES Through PayPal’s
#GiveATCheckOut
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| Get that great deal online and support IAES at the same time! When you shop Amazon Smiles and select IAES as the non-profit you want to support, Amazon will donate .5% of our purchases to the International Autoimmune Encephalitis Society. This simple act of kindness, will support the work we do and advance our ability to service the community. MakeMeSmile is an extension for Chrome that makes sure you select International Autoimmune Encephalitis Society when you shop online. It’s free to download. And you don’t even need to sign up. |
Are YOU an IAES angel? Do you love someone with AE? Do you want to raise AE awareness to not just support AE Warriors but lead researchers to finding a cure? The IAES Angel is someone who lifted IAES upward by ensuring that comfort, guidance and improved health is brought into an AE patient’s life.
IAES Angels are motivated by their Spirit of giving. They are Champions in raising AE awareness. Your devotion to supporting our mission and improving the lives of those who suffer from AE is felt mightily and immediately put to use.
When you become an #IAESANGEL, International Autoimmune Encephalitis Society will send you this badge and profile frame to place on your Facebook page or Website. As badges ‘take flight’ heralding IAES has been ‘touched by an angel’, others will take notice and they too may find their wings. Together, we will create a future where AE is eradicated from this world and only referenced in medical history books.
Donations raised are greatly appreciated and directly support research, patients, caregivers, and families through their journey so the best outcomes can be reached. Your contribution to our mission will help save a life and improve the quality of lives for others. Be a part of the solution by supporting IAES.
Driven by the knowledge that “Education is Power”, Int’l AE Society manages an educational support group for patients diagnosed with Autoimmune Encephalitis and their loved ones on Face Book, empowering them to be strong self-advocates and advocates that will lead them to best outcomes and recovery. We are the premiere organization leading in these vital roles.
On June 16th, 2022, the International Autoimmune Encephalitis Society and Tabitha Orth, IAES President, and Founder, officially became the 7,315th “point of light”. The award was founded by President George H.W. Bush in 1990.
