Autoimmune Encephalitis Panel, Serum/csf

What is Autoimmune Encephalitis (AE) Panel test?

Autoimmune Encephalitis (AE) Panel is a laboratory evaluation that looks for neuronal autoantibodies in blood (serum) and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to help diagnose autoimmune encephalitis and related paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes when patients present with subacute neuropsychiatric symptoms, seizures, cognitive decline, or movement disorders.

Testing both CSF and serum increases diagnostic yield because some antibodies are detectable preferentially in one matrix , helping avoid false negatives and guiding timely treatment.

Components: ANTI LG1 Ab, ANTI GABA Ab, ANTI NMDA Ab, ANTI CASPAR 2 Ab, ANTI AMPA 1 Ab, AMPA 2 Ab

Why consider Autoimmune Encephalitis (AE) Panel test?

• Early and accurate identification of neuronal autoantibodies can transform management, since many autoimmune encephalitis (AE) syndromes respond to immunotherapy and do better when treated promptly.
• AE can mimic neurodegenerative disease or present with dominant psychiatric/cognitive features; panel testing helps uncover treatable antibody-mediated etiologies in such atypical presentations.
• In seizure/epilepsy of unclear cause, structured approaches support antibody testing in patients with AE “red flags,” enabling earlier immunotherapy decisions and seizure control.

Who should get this Autoimmune Encephalitis (AE) Panel test?

Autoimmune encephalitis should be considered—and prompt testing initiated—when there is a subacute (days to <3 months) onset of central nervous system symptoms suggestive of inflammation, after reasonably excluding infections and metabolic/toxic causes.

More Information about Autoimmune Encephalitis (AE) Panel test

Other Names – Encephalitis, Autoimmune Encephalitis, Encephalitis antibodies, Encephalitis test

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain. It can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, or by immune cells mistakenly attacking the brain. Viruses that can lead to encephalitis can be spread by insects such as mosquitos and ticks.

When inflammation is caused by an infection in the brain, it's known as infectious encephalitis. And when it's caused by the immune system attacking the brain, it's known as autoimmune encephalitis. Sometimes there is no known cause.