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Psychiatric management of anti-NMDAR encephalitis: a cohort analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 November 2019

Nicola Warren Open the ORCID record for Nicola Warren [Opens in a new window] ,
Cullen O'Gorman ,
Gemma McKeon ,
Andrew Swayne ,
Stefan Blum  and
Dan Siskind
Nicola Warren*
Affiliation:
Metro South Addiction and Mental Health, Brisbane, Australia University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Cullen O'Gorman
Affiliation:
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Department of Neurology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia Mater Centre for Neurosciences, Mater Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
Gemma McKeon
Affiliation:
Metro South Addiction and Mental Health, Brisbane, Australia University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Andrew Swayne
Affiliation:
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Department of Neurology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia Mater Centre for Neurosciences, Mater Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
Stefan Blum
Affiliation:
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Department of Neurology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia Mater Centre for Neurosciences, Mater Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
Dan Siskind
Affiliation:
Metro South Addiction and Mental Health, Brisbane, Australia University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
*
Author for correspondence: Nicola Warren, E-mail: n.warren@uq.edu.au
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Abstract

Background

Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is an immune-mediated disorder which requires multi-disciplinary treatment including immunomodulation therapy. First presentation is most commonly to psychiatric services and continuing psychiatric care is required to treat disabling symptoms, such as behaviour disturbance, psychosis and catatonia. There is minimal available evidence to guide symptomatic treatment and concern for increased sensitivity to antipsychotics complicates traditional approaches.

Methods

All cases of cerebrospinal fluid positive anti-NMDAR encephalitis tested in Queensland, Australia were identified. Demographic, clinical and therapeutic data were collected and reviewed by two independent clinicians. Pre-specified variables reflecting possible treatment side effects were compared.

Results

The majority of the 30 cases (83%) had early psychiatric symptoms and were treated with antipsychotics (67%), average daily olanzapine equivalence dose of 11.5 mg, prior to immunomodulation therapy. Although there was an 88% reduction in cases with aggression, there was little improvement in psychosis, affective symptoms or catatonia with antipsychotics alone. In the cases with psychiatric symptoms, there was no significant difference in the rate of occurrence of neurological and autonomic symptoms between cases prescribed and not prescribed antipsychotics.

Conclusions

Psychiatric input is imperative for both acute and longer-term management of anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Primary symptomatic treatment should remain immunotherapy and surgery. Antipsychotic medications have particular value in managing agitation and aggression. Potential side effects from antipsychotic treatment are difficult to differentiate from progression of anti-NMDAR encephalitis but there was no evidence in this cohort of increased antipsychotic sensitivity. Treatment with psychotropic medication should be individualised and adjusted during the course of the illness.

Keywords

AntipsychoticsautoimmuneencephalitisNMDApsychosis
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 51 , Issue 3 , February 2021 , pp. 435 - 440
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019

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