Autoimmune Encephalitis: Advances in Diagnosis and Immunotherapy

Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is an inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system mediated by autoantibodies, with a significantly rising incidence in recent years. However, its diagnosis and treatment still face numerous challenges. Currently, AE diagnosis primarily relies on antibody testing and clinical evaluation, while immunotherapy follows a stepwise strategy. Nevertheless, some patients exhibit treatment resistance and risk of relapse. Although significant research progress has been made, the diagnosis of antibody-negative cases and personalized treatment strategies require further exploration. This article systematically analyzes AE diagnostic criteria, advances in immunotherapy, and pathogenesis research. Key findings demonstrate that novel biomarkers such as CSF sCD27 may enhance early diagnostic accuracy, stepwise therapeutic approaches can optimize clinical management, and mechanistic studies reveal the pathogenicity of anti-NMDAR antibodies along with the pivotal role of PV neuron injury. These findings provide critical insights for precision medicine in AE. Outstanding challenges persist in long-term outcome monitoring and refractory case management. Future directions should prioritize multi-omics diagnostic models, targeted therapy development, and multidisciplinary collaborative care systems to improve patient outcomes.