Limbic Encephalitis Associated with Drebrin Antibodies

These authors report on four cases of limbic encephalitis with antibodies targeting developmentally regulated brain protein (drebrin).

All four patients had a severe, subacute, progressive encephalopathy with antidrebrin antibodies detected in sera. Antidrebrin antibodies were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of three patients. Symptoms included depression, cognitive impairment, and seizures. MRI indicated changes within the amygdala and hippocampi of the temporal lobe. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed elevated protein levels and sometimes a mononuclear cell pleocytosis. Seizure control seemed to improve with immunotherapy, but patients were prone to relapse and repeat hospitalization. Cortical biopsy in one patient revealed dense mo…