Clinicopathological Features of Patients with Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis: Experience from a Tertiary Care Centre in Pakistan.

Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR) antibody encephalitis is a potentially lethal form of autoimmune encephalitis in which auto-antibody production occurs against the NMDAR, NR1 subunit, causing massive dysregulation of neuro-transmission. This syndrome is often paraneoplastic (ovarian teratomas) having a male-to-female ratio of 1:4 and most often manifests with neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms, including hallucinations, memory loss, and diminished conscious level leading to death. Immunotherapy and surgical removal of the predisposing malignancy often result in prompt relief of symptoms. We hereby present clinicopathological features and management outcomes of three cases of anti-NMDAR encephalitis (2 females and 1 male). All three patients had a prodrome of fever, abnormal psychiatric behaviour, decreased consciousness level, speech dysfunction, and autonomic instability; however, seizures and movement disorders were only present in two patients. Key Words: Anti-NMDAR antibody, Anti-NMDAR encephalitis, Autoimmune encephalitis.