Limbic encephalitis: Clinical spectrum and long-term outcome from a developing country perspective

Limbic encephalitis (LE) is characterized by rapidly progressive short-term memory loss, psychiatric symptoms and seizures. We describe the clinical spectrum, underlying etiology and long-term follow-up of patients with LE from India. This prospective study included patients during the period of January 2009 and December 2011 with the clinical features consistent with LE with one or more of the following: (1) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of temporal lobe involvement; (2) cerebrospinal fluid inflammatory abnormalities, or (3) detection of antineuronal antibodies. Patients with metastasis, infection, metabolic and nutritional deficits, stroke, were excluded. Early recognition of LE is important based upon clinical, MRI data in the absence of antineuronal surface antibody screen in developing nations. Early institution of immunotherapy will help in improvement in outcome of these patients in long-term.