Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis Responding to Gabapentin: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Ansaam Daoud, MD1, Loai Dweik, MD2, Azhar Daoud, MD, FRCP, MRCPCH3*
1Division of Rheumatology, University Hospitals/Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
2Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Akron, OH, USA.
3Division of Pediatric Neurology, Specialty Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
*Corresponding Author: Azhar Daoud, MD, FRCP, MRCPCH, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Specialty Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOANE.2025.06.004
Received: January 02, 2025
Published: February 03, 2025
Citation: Daoud A, Dweik L, Daoud A. Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis Responding to Gabapentin: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. SVOA Neurology 2025, 6:1, 13-16. doi: 10.58624/SVOANE.2025.06.004
Abstract
Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is a well-characterized immune-mediated encephalitis. It is increasingly recognized as one of the common causes of encephalitis in children but is frequently misdiagnosed, especially in resource-constrained settings. There is ongoing debate regarding optimal treatment strategies. In this case report, we would like to highlight the dramatic response of this clinical neuropsychiatric disorder to gabapentin despite the lack of response to methylprednisolone, probably through its direct effect on NMDA receptors. This disorder should be a differential diagnosis in patients with unexplained behavioral/psychiatric symptoms and progressive encephalopathy with movement disorders. The improvement witnessed with gabapentin should be further investigated in controlled clinical trials.
Keywords: Encephalitis, Immune-mediated encephalitis, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, Gabapentin
