A month of madness 
Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: A literature review


Kirra Parks

Review

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is a potentially devastating and critically time sensitive diagnosis affecting young people. Although rare, it is the most common form of encephalitis in children and young adults and is 4 times more common than HSV encephalitis. First described in 2005 anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis at onset is very difficult to differentiate from new onset psychiatric illness. The consequences of missed or delayed diagnosis include death and significant disability. Approximately 7% of people diagnosed will die, however 80% of those who are treated early will achieve recovery to independent activities of daily living within 1.5yrs. Early initiation of therapy is important given the potentially devastating consequences of missed or delayed diagnosis. Therefore, it is essential that clinicians are aware of this relatively new condition. This literature review aims to describe the illness, its clinical course, diagnosis and most importantly, the treatment regime.