WHAT IS AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALITIS?
Autoimmune encephalitis is an illness affecting the brain. It can cause changes in thought, perception, and memory; seizures; and abnormal movements. In autoimmune encaphalitis, the immune system, which usually prevents infection, malfunctions. It turns against the brain via molecules called antibodies.
The Oxford Autoimmune Neurology Group led by Sarosh Irani and Paddy Waters studies the cells which produce the antibodies, to work out which medications can destroy these cells and help reduce antibody levels.