Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis, Autoimmune Encephalitis: Diagnosis, Management, and Clinical Challenges

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is a severe but potentially reversible autoimmune disorder characterized by IgG antibodies targeting the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor. Commonly affecting young adults and children, this condition presents with a constellation of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including behavioral changes, psychosis, seizures, movement disorders, autonomic dysfunction, and catatonia. Diagnosis hinges on the detection of anti-NMDAR antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid, with supportive findings from EEG and MRI, though imaging may be nonspecific. This presentation aims to review the pathophysiology, diagnostic workup, Differential diagnoses and therapeutic strategies for anti-NMDAR encephalitis, emphasizing early recognition and treatment to optimize patient outcomes.