Neurobiology of autoimmune anti-anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in child.

Encephalitis with anti-NMDA receptor antibodies is one of the most common autoimmune encephalitis, after acute demyelinating encephalitis. Recent data from the specialized literature bring attention to a series of hypothetical mechanisms regarding the causes of the symptoms of encephalitis with anti-NMDA receptor antibodies. Beyond these, the acute psychosis that can occur is associated with the presence in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of antibodies directed at the NR1a subunit of the NMDA receptor, which causes a slowing of the activity of neurons at this level. Behavioral, mood and cognitive disorders can be the cause of reversible atrophy predominantly in the frontotemporal area, where NMDA receptors are densely distributed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]