Limbic encephalitis Home A-Z Health Information Health Library A-Z Limbic Encephalitis Overview It is a rare neurological disorder, in which an autoimmune inflammation of the brain predominantly affects the limbic area, secondary to infection or cancers. It is acute in onset and causes altered sensorium, behaviour changes, seizures. Causes CancerHerpes simplex encephalitisAutoimmune disorders Risk factors Older ageWeakened immune systemGeographical regions where mosquito- or tick-borne viruses spread easilySeason of the yearSmoking Symptoms Headache and irritabilityBehavioural changes- delusion, hallucinations, agitation, psychosisAcute to subacute memory lossSeizuresCommon antibodies associated with limbic encephalitis are Anti Hu, Anti-Ma, Anti CRMP5, anti-GAD 65, anti Ampiphysin, Anti- NMDAR, anti VGKC, anti AMPA, Anti Glu antibodies Specialist to approach Neurologist Diagnosis CSF and blood investigations to detect pathogenic antibodiesFLAIR and contrast changes on MRI in limbic areasPET scan to check increased metabolism in these areasEEG to check for abnormalities Treatment Immunomodulation with corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis in acute stageRituximab, cyclophosphamide for long-term therapyRemoval of tumourSupportive management of psychosis and seizures