Abstract Details

Title Treatment of Anti-GAD65 Autoimmune Encephalitis Presenting as NORSE with Intrathecal Dexamethasone

Topic Autoimmune Neurology

Presentation(s) P1 - Poster Session 1 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 14-005

Objective N/A

Background New-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) is a devastating clinical condition that often leads to severe disability or even death. A pathologic antibody is often not identified. Anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (anti-GAD65) antibody encephalitis is an uncommon form of autoimmune encephalitis with a broad range of presentations including NORSE. Current guidelines for treatment of NORSE include systemic high dose intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), and plasma exchange (PLEX). Clinical management of refractory status epilepticus requires high-dose anesthetic infusions, often with complicated medical courses.

Design/Methods N/A

Results An 11-year-old previously healthy female presented with five days of behavioral changes followed by refractory status epilepticus after a febrile illness. She required rapid escalation to continuous anesthetic infusions and initiation of ketogenic diet. Work-up showed elevated CSF WBC to 18 and a protein of 56. Anti-GAD65 antibodies were elevated in serum (49.9) and CSF (2.08). Immunotherapy included high-dose IVMP, IVIG, PLEX, Anakinra and Rituximab with minimal improvement in seizure burden. On hospital day 27, due to inability to wean anesthetic infusions, she received intrathecal dexamethasone (IT-DEX) weekly for 6 weeks. Initial CSF cytokines showed elevated interleukin 6, 8, and soluble interleukin-2 receptor. By the fourth dose of IT-DEX, there was near normalization of CSF cytokines and CSF pleocytosis, meanwhile seizure burden decreased from 4 minutes to 1 minute per hour. Patient was weaned off anesthetics and continued to exhibit a decrease in seizure burden. She eventually transferred to the transitional unit. No major adverse effects occurred from IT-DEX administration.

Conclusions Intrathecal dexamethasone is an effective and safe medication for treatment of NORSE. IT-DEX aided in the weaning of anesthetic infusions and dramatically decreased seizure burden in this patient. It also highlights the role of local inflammation in the central nervous system in the pathophysiology of NORSE.

Authors/Disclosures
Karla Salazar, MD (Baylor College of Medicine) PRESENTER	Dr. Salazar has nothing to disclose.
Christina Massrey, MD (Baylor College of Medicine)	Dr. Massrey has nothing to disclose.
Alexander Ankar, MD (Baylor College of Medicine)	Dr. Ankar has nothing to disclose.
Jonathan Yarimi, MD (Memorial Healthcare)	Dr. Yarimi has nothing to disclose.
Manasa Sudheendra, MBBS (Texas Children's Hospital/ Baylor College of Medicine)	Dr. Sudheendra has nothing to disclose.
Jon A. Cokley, PharmD (Texas Childrens Hospital)	An immediate family member of Dr. Cokley has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Johnson and Johnson Vision. Dr. Cokley has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Xenon Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Cokley has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Wolters Kluwer. Dr. Cokley has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for UCB Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Cokley has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Cokley has a non-compensated relationship as a Board of Trustees with Neurocricitical Care Foundation that is relevant to AAN interests or activities.
Daniel Davila-Williams, MD (Texas Children's Hospital)	Dr. Davila-Williams has nothing to disclose.
Kristen Fisher, DO (Baylor College of Medicine)	Dr. Fisher has nothing to disclose.

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