Autoimmune and Paraneoplastic Encephalopathies

Abstract

Abstract Movement disorders are a prominent and common feature in many autoantibody-mediated neuropsychiatric disorders and are caused by an expanding spectrum of antibodies. Depending on the presenting and early symptoms, patients with these disorders are often referred to psychiatrists or general, movement disorder and/or behavioral neurologists. Clinicians need to be aware of these conditions in order to know when to consider and test for them, as many are treatable if not reversible. Improved awareness and understanding of these disorders will help with early identification and prompt treatment, thereby reducing long-term morbidity and mortality. This chapter will focus on the most common autoimmune, especially antibody-mediated, syndromes associated with psychiatric and movement disorders. Many of the autoimmune-mediated movement disorders discussed in this chapter are often associated with other features, including psychiatric/behavioral disorders, limbic encephalitis, and other symptoms. Autoimmune limbic encephalitis (ALE) is a syndrome in which parts of the limbic system are involved and classically presents with features including short-term memory loss, irritability, depression, hallucinations, sleep disturbances, and/or seizures.