Antibodies Contributing to Focal Epilepsy Signs and Symptoms Score

Objective: Diagnosing autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) is difficult in patients with less fulminant diseases such as epilepsy. However, recognition is important, as patients require immunotherapy. This study aims to identify antibodies in patients with focal epilepsy of unknown etiology, and to create a score to preselect patients requiring testing. Methods: In this prospective, multicenter cohort study, adults with focal epilepsy of unknown etiology, without recognized AIE, were included, between December 2014 and December 2017, and followed for 1 year. Serum, and if available cerebrospinal fluid, were analyzed using different laboratory techniques. The ACES score was created using factors favoring an autoimmune etiology of seizures (AES), as determined by multivariate logistic regression. The model was externally validated and evaluated using the Concordance (C) statistic. Results: We included 582 patients, with median epilepsy duration of 8 years (interquartile range = 2–18)

Neurosyphilis mimicking autoimmune encephalitis: A case report and review of the literature

Neurosyphilis may imitate a wide range of neurological and psychiatric diseases, including autoimmune encephalitis. To avoid further cognitive decline and morbidity, early recognition and adequate treatment are of particular importance in both neurosyphilis and autoimmune encephalitis. In case of a strong clini