| Web: | mayocliniclabs.com |
|---|---|
| Email: | mcl@mayo.edu |
| Telephone: | 800-533-1710 |
| International: | +1 855-379-3115 |
| Values are valid only on day of printing | |
| Web: | mayocliniclabs.com |
|---|---|
| Email: | mcl@mayo.edu |
| Telephone: | 800-533-1710 |
| International: | +1 855-379-3115 |
| Values are valid only on day of printing | |
Autoimmune encephalopathy
Autoimmune encephalopathy
is increasingly recognized
Many cases of encephalopathy previously considered infectious are now recognized to have an autoimmune cause. In fact, based on a recent Mayo Clinic study, autoimmune encephalitis was found to be as common as infectious encephalitis.1
KLHL11
Learn more about the world’s first evidence-based test to confirm the presence of Kelch-like protein 11 (KLHL11) autoantibodies.
When to consider testing
Consider autoimmune testing for patients presenting with new-onset encephalopathy (non-infectious or metabolic) and one or more of the following:
Key testing
Phenotypic evaluations
Our autoimmune encephalopathy evaluation is part of an evolving approach to testing for autoimmune neurological disorders using phenotypic-specific evaluations that include multiple antibodies known for their disease association.
Beyond the Test Result
Greg Widseth was suddenly hit by a rare disease that prompted his immune system to attack his brain cells, resulting in as many as 60 seizures a day. Special blood and spinal fluid tests developed by Mayo Clinic Laboratories confirmed that Widseth had antibodies known to target certain brain cells.
Additional Resources
For people with encephalitis, rapid treatment of their acute brain inflammation is critical for avoiding devastating physical and cognitive deficits. But appropriate treatment requires identifying the culprit causing the symptoms.
Andrew McKeon, M.B., B.Ch., M.D., gives an overview of the autoimmune encephalopathy evaluations. He focuses on when the tests should be ordered, how this testing improves upon previous approaches, and what clinical action the results enable.
Encephalitis caused by the immune system attacking the brain is similar in frequency to encephalitis from infections, Mayo Clinic researchers report in Annals of Neurology.
