Recovery of Cognitive Functioning in Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis

Few studies describe the long-term cognitive dysfunction experienced by people with anti–N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis. In the current prospective, longitudinal study, investigators evaluated 40 adults with anti-NMDAR encephalitis at two consecutive visits, the first at a median of 2.3 years after symptoms onset, and the second at a median of 4.9 years after onset.

At the first visit, all patients had cognitive deficits, which were severe in 50%, moderate in 35%, and mild in 15%. The most prevalent abnormalities were executive function, working memory, and verbal memory. At the second visit, all patients showed improvement; overall, 30% had severe cognitive impairment, 35% moderate impairment, 27.5% mild, and 7.5% w…