Pediatric Autoimmune Encephalitis with Dr. Mellad Khoshnood

UCB sponsors the 2024 Speaker Series celebrating Autoimmune Encephalitis Awareness Month.
Dr. Mellad Khoshood has invited clinicians to reach out and consult with him on any case where Autoimmune Encephalitis is suspected. He can be reached at
[email protected] or
[email protected]
Dr. Mellad Khoshnood is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology (Clinician-Educator), and Child Neurologist at the University of Southern California with expertise in Down syndrome, Neuro-immunology, Autoimmune Encephalitis, and Multiple Sclerosis. He entered academic medicine to help train the future of pediatric neurology and help care for the most vulnerable of our population. He has authored an impressive amount of research to date.
Dr. Khoshnood reviews the prevalence of AE, neuropsychiatric symptoms, seizures (60% of patients), movement disorders, and autonomic dysfunction that may be seen in the patient history and presentation with autoimmune encephalitis patients. Clinicians are advised to have a high suspicion of possible AE when specific findings are present as outlined in the requirements of possible autoimmune encephalitis in the 2016 Graus, Dalmau et al paper, a Clinical Approach to Diagnosis of Autoimmune Encephalitis. Dr. Khoshnood uses several case studies and their unique presentation to illustrate the need for a wide investigation to rule out the possibility of the culprit being AE.
This is an engaging presentation with helpful visuals throughout that allow both clinician and family member, or patient to follow along and take in information about a complex disease with ease.
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Autoimmune Encephalitis is a group of inflammatory brain diseases characterized by prominent neuropsychiatric symptoms. These patients are often believed to have psychiatric presentations, but they do NOT. Common clinical features include a change in behavior, psychosis, seizures, memory, and cognitive deficits, abnormal movements, dysautonomia, and a decreased level of consciousness. Psychiatrists and Emergency Room Physicians are often the first medical professionals who see these patients. Clinicians must consider the possibility of an autoantibody-related etiology and become familiar with the red flags suggestive of synaptic autoimmunity as the underlying cause in all cases of first-onset, out-of-the-blue psychosis. A high level of suspicion is necessary as autoimmune encephalitis is treatable with immunotherapy. Firm evidence shows that earlier recognition and treatment lead to improved outcomes. It is important to note, that the disorder is refractory to antipsychotics; indeed, antipsychotic agents make affected patients much worse, even to the point of developing something akin to neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
The International Autoimmune Encephalitis, (IAES), is a registered 501 C 3 non-profit and is the only Family/Patient-centered organization for people diagnosed with Autoimmune Encephalitis. Leading with integrity, IAES strives to advance services, education, increased awareness, and research for this group of diseases. IAES provides science-based information backed by trusted medical experts in the field of autoimmune neurology and relies on the expertise of our Medical Advisory Board. We are an established non-profit organization with a history of supporting all-inclusive services from diagnosis to recovery and the many challenges experienced in that journey.