Introduction: Autoimmune encephalitis represents a group of neurological diseases triggered by antibodies targeting neuronal cell surface proteins or receptors among others. These conditions can lead to severe clinical manifestations, including movement disorders such as hyper- and hypokinesia, paroxysmal movements, and eye movement disturbances. This thesis aims to evaluate the occurrence and appearance of MDs in AE and investigate the relationship between specific antibodies and movement disorders. Results: For this thesis, 34 patients out of a prospective registry including 14 centers in Austria and Slovenia were predominantly analyzed regarding their MDs by questionnaires. Based on those it was demonstrated that antibodies against GlyR, LGI1, IgLON5, NMDAR, GABABR, and GAD65 are associated with characteristic movement disorders. Hyperkinetic MDs were prominent at most, including gait disorder and FBDS. No patient suffered from tics. Hypokinetic MDs were less common than hyperkinetic. SPS occurred in patients with GlyR-abs, as well as GAD65-abs. No one showed Parkinsonism. The majority of the patients suffered from more than one MD at a time; the main coexisting combination was ataxia, gait disorder, and eye movement disorder. Predominant MDs highlighted for each antibody: • GlyR: Stiffness, ataxia, gait disorder, and/or eye movement disorders • GAD65: Gait disturbance and stiffness (SPSD) • NMDAR: Dystonia, myoclonus and/or stereotypies • LGI1: Myoclonus (FBDS), chorea, dystonia, stiffness, and/or gait disorder • IgLON5: Ataxia, chorea and/or eye movement disorder • GABABR: Tremor and ataxia Discussion: The findings reflect the high frequency of movement disorders associated with autoimmune encephalitis, as well as the variety of their appearance. Although the size of the cohort was too small to demonstrate a direct correlation between specific antibodies and individual movement disorders, it was nevertheless possible to make a more precise statement about the underlying antibody for certain movement disorders. Furthermore, it appears that patients affected by just one movement disorder are recovering better than cases with two or more MDs at a time.
Movement disorders in patients with antibodies against neuronal surface receptors and proteins
Schaufler, L. (Autor/-in). 2025
Studienabschlussarbeit: Diplomarbeit