Hypothermia in VGKC antibody-associated limbic encephalitis.

Journal article

Voltage-gated potassium channel antibody (VGKC-Ab)-associated limbic encephalitis (LE) is a recently described syndrome that broadens the spectrum of immunotherapy-responsive central nervous system disorders. Limbic encephalitis is typically characterised by a sub-acute onset of disorientation, amnesia and seizures, but the clinical spectrum is not yet fully defined and the syndrome could be under-diagnosed. We here describe the clinical profile of four patients with VGKC-Ab-associated LE who had intermittent, episodic hypothermia. One of the patients also described a prodrome of severe neuropathic pain preceding the development of limbic symptoms. Both of these novel symptoms responded well to immunosuppressive therapy, with concurrent amelioration of amnesia/seizures.

Authors: Jacob, S; Irani, SR; Rajabally, Y; Grubneac, A; Walters, R

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
• Volume: 79
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 202-204
• Publication date: 2008-02-01
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2007.130039
• EISSN: 1468-330X
• ISSN: 0022-3050
• Language: English
• Keywords: Plasma Exchange; Limbic Encephalitis; Hypothermia; Autoantibodies; Male; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Immunosuppressive Agents; Atrophy; Retreatment; Aged; Middle Aged; Azathioprine; Prednisolone; Cyclosporine; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe; Temporal Lobe; Low Back Pain; Recurrence; Female; Dominance, Cerebral; Hypothalamus; Hippocampus; Thymoma; Thymus Neoplasms; Humans; Immunization, Passive