Autoimmune Encephalitis Panel 2 Test

• For diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis
• For differential diagnosis in patients with encephalitis of unknown origin
• Tests are useful in detecting the antibodies against different neurological receptors.
• It is also useful in managing patients on immunotherapy and/or plasmapheresis.
• To diagnose peripheral nervous system disease and central nervous system diseases in certain types of tumours.

People with the following symptoms:

• Seizures of unknown origin
• Hallucinations, confusions
• Neuropsychiatric symptoms
• Patients with certain tumours showing signs of encephalitis
• Neuromyotonia

The Autoimmune encephalitis panel includes  5 tests to detect the presence or absence of antibodies against NMDA receptors, AMPA (GluR1 & GluR2), GABA B receptor, DPPX, and VGKC (LGI1, ASPR2)

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

None.

NMDA test

Positive result may indicate risk of neurological disorder. Results should be correlated with the clinical findings.

AMPA & GABA

Positive antibody result may indicate autoimmune neurological syndrome or certain paraneoplastic syndromes.

VGKC Antibodies test

LGI1 test

 Presence of these antibodies are probably considered as most common cause of limbic encephalitis.

Negative result indicates absence of these antibodies in the serum. Results should be correlated with the clinical findings.

CASPR2 test

Positive result shows presence of antibodies to CASPR2 which is suggestive of auto-immune encephalitis.

Negative result indicates absence of these antibodies in the serum. Results should be correlated with the clinical findings.

(DPPX) Dipeptidyl Aminopeptidase

Positive result (presence of DPPX antibodies) may be indicative of autoimmune encephalitis. Presence of antibodies may also be seen in certain tumours.

All results should be correlated with the clinical findings. Negative results do not rule out the disease and a clinician should be consulted for further treatment.

• NMDA test
• AMPA test
• GluR1 and GluR 2 test
• GABA B receptor test
• VGKC test
• LG1 test
• CASPR2 test
• DPPX test

Antibodies against glutamate receptor (type NMDA - NR1) are specific markers for anti-glutamate receptor (type NMDA) encephalitis, an inflammatory encephalopathy of autoimmune origin.

Test is done if patient has partial onset seizures or generalized tonic clonic seizures.

These receptors are responsible for signal transmission and associated autoimmunities manifest with seizures and neuropsychiatric symptoms.

 Leucine-rich glioma inactivated protein 1(LGI1) & Contactin-associated protein 2 (CASPR2) are VGKC antibodies found in certain patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. LGI1 and CASPR2 antibodies test help in diagnosis of autoimmune limbic encephalitis.

DPPX is produced by the brain tissue and belongs to the group of extracellular antigen that regular the neurological activity. Antibodies against DPPX are useful in the diagnosis of encephalitis of autoimmune origin.