Serial brain ¹⁸FDG-PET in anti-AMPA receptor limbic encephalitis

J Neuroimmunol. 2014 Jun 15;271(1-2):53-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2014.04.002. Epub 2014 Apr 16.

Abstract

Immunotherapy-responsive autoimmune CNS syndromes linked to antibodies targeting surface neuronal antigens lack reliable biomarkers of disease activity. We report serial cerebral (18)FDG PET studies in a woman with AMPA receptor (AMPA-R) autoimmune limbic encephalitis. During her follow-up, despite an aggressive immunotherapy, she displayed a persistent, predominantly left hippocampal FDG hypermetabolism, in the absence of CNS inflammatory signs. Brain metabolism abnormalities regressed after increasing antiepileptic treatment, correlating with a moderate clinical improvement. Brain (18)F-FDG PET could thus represent a useful complementary tool to orient the clinical follow-up.

Keywords: (18)FDG PET; Biomarker; Complementary exam; Disease activity; Follow-up; Therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / metabolism*
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Limbic Encephalitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Limbic Encephalitis / pathology*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Receptors, AMPA / immunology*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18