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Cognitive and Social Functioning Deficits after Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis: An Exploratory Case Series

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 August 2016

Gemma L. McKeon ,
James G. Scott ,
Donna M. Spooner ,
Alexander E. Ryan ,
Stefan Blum ,
David Gillis ,
Daman Langguth  and
Gail A. Robinson
Gemma L. McKeon
Affiliation:
Neuropsychology Research Unit, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, QLD, Australia Child and Youth Mental Health Group, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, QLD, Australia
James G. Scott
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, QLD, Australia Child and Youth Mental Health Group, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, QLD, Australia Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia
Donna M. Spooner
Affiliation:
Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia
Alexander E. Ryan
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, QLD, Australia Child and Youth Mental Health Group, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, QLD, Australia
Stefan Blum
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, QLD, Australia Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
David Gillis
Affiliation:
Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia Pathology Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
Daman Langguth
Affiliation:
Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, QLD, Australia
Gail A. Robinson*
Affiliation:
Neuropsychology Research Unit, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, QLD, Australia Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Gail Robinson, The University of Queensland (UQ), School of Psychology, McElwain Building, UQ, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 4072. E-mail: g.robinson@psy.uq.edu.au
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Abstract

Background: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is a recently described life-threatening autoimmune disorder associated with a characteristic multi-stage neuropsychiatric syndrome. Although it is known that the majority of patients experience neuropsychological disturbance post-treatment, some aspects of the cognitive profile remain unclear. Methods: This study sought to investigate patterns of cognitive functioning in a sample of anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients. Seven (6F:1M; mean age, 26.4 years; range, 16–37 years) treated patients completed a comprehensive set of neurocognitive and social functioning measures. Performance was analyzed using normative data (where available), and comparison with matched controls (10F:4M; mean age, 25.8 years; range, 16–38 years). Results: Individual cognitive profiles ranged from within normal limits to extensive dysfunction. Relative to controls, the patient group’s performance was affected in the domains of verbal/ visual memory, working memory, attention, processing speed, executive functioning, and social cognition. The patient group also reported significantly higher levels of anxiety compared to controls. Conclusions: These results add to the accumulating evidence that neurocognitive deficits, consistent with the distribution and functions of the NMDAR system can persist during recovery from anti-NMDAR encephalitis. This is the first study to provide evidence of performance decrements on measures of social cognition, including some involving theory of mind. (JINS, 2016, 22, 828–838)

Keywords

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitisCognition disordersNeuropsychologySocial behaviorTheory of mindTreatment outcome
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 22 , Issue 8 , September 2016 , pp. 828 - 838
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2016 

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