JULY NEWSLETTER Highlighted News in Autoimmune Encephalitis July 2018 2nd edition

JULY NEWSLETTER
Highlighted News in the field of Autoimmune Encephalitis July 2018 2nd edition

This issue includes ~ Suicidality a common and potentially lethal risk for people with autoimmune encephalitis. Podcast (an AE Primer) on understanding Autoimmune Encephalitis. New developments in the disease mechanism of anti-NMDAr encephalitis. New research confirms link between autoimmune disorders and psychosis. Two prominent Psychiatrists call for a culture change: patients with acute-onset psychosis be screened for autoimmune encephalitis

Suicidality is a common and serious feature of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis
 
 Suicidality is a common and potentially lethal risk for people with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Those presenting with psychiatric symptoms as the initial symptom and with insomnia, aggression, mania, depression and delusion should be carefully screened for suicidality. 
 The #s in this study show how serious this impacts our AE community. Each year the IAES support group looses 1 to 2 members to suicide.  Suicidality is a symptom of AE that can be resolved completely with a treatment plan adjustment. 
17 of 133 people (13%) presented with suicidality symptoms: 7 (5%) with suicidal ideation; 8 (6%) who attempted suicide; and 2 (1.5%) who completed suicide. Median age was 27 (16–78) years, most were female [13 (76%)].  

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 This podcast is a great "AE Primer". It contains all the information IAES wants you to have as an educational foundation in understanding AE  and developing into a strong self-advocate/advocate. 
 
Listen to it in the car, while working out, on a walk or cleaning up around the house.   It is 23 minutes and worth every minute. 
It was updated from the original 2016 version and on the Podcast page of our website. 

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and nonencephalitic HSV-1 infection 
 
Open Access article.The development of anti-NMDAR immunoreactivity following HSV encephalitis occurs 20% of cases. It has been hypothesized to result from HSV-mediated brain injury that exposes NMDARs to the immune system, triggering an immune response. However, none of the anti-NMDARE participants with HSV antibodies had clinically evident HSV encephalitis.  The present data suggest an alternate disease mechanism. Conclusion Past HSV-1 infection was found in significantly more anti-NMDARE cases than controls. This suggests a meaningful association between nonencephalitic HSV-1 infection and development of anti-NMDARE.

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Time for a change of practice: the real-world value of testing for neuronal autoantibodies in acute first-episode psychosis
 
Dr. Tom Pollak and Dr. Belinda Lennox open-access editorial, in which they call for a culture change in the management of psychosis by psychiatry. They argue that It is time that all patients with acute-onset psychosis are screened for autoimmune encephalitis, that lumbar puncture becomes a routine psychiatric investigation and that immunotherapy is available in indicated cases.

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NEW RESEARCH CONFIRMS A LINK BETWEEN AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS AND PSYCHOSIS
People with autoimmune disorders, a collection of diseases where the body’s immune system attacks its own cells, are more likely to develop psychosis, according to this latest research.The study found the likelihood of having psychosis was higher for disorders like pernicious anaemia, psoriasis, coeliac disease and autoimmune thyroid disorders. People with autoimmune disorders, a collection of diseases where the body’s immune system attacks its own cells, are more likely to develop psychosis, according to this latest research.

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International Autoimmune Encephalitis Society (IAES) is a Family/Patient centered organization that assists members from getting a diagnosis through to recovery and the many challenges experienced in their journey. 
 
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.

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