Font Size: 

Introduction: Since the antibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor discovery in 2007, anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis has entered the mainstream of neurology and other disciplines worldwide. We aimed to reportthe clinical features of patients with this disorder in Taiwan. Methods: Information was obtained by the authors or referring physicians and those published in English literature about anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis in Taiwan from 2007 to 2013. The clinical features were analyzed. Results: 12 patients (10 female) aged between 7 years and 28 years with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis were identified. 6 patients (50%) were less than 18 yearsold and 1 of them was male. 3 of them had an underlying tumor. 91.6% presented with mood, behavior, or personality change. 91.6% developed seizures, 100% stereotyped movements, 83.3% autonomic instability, and 66.7% hypoventilation. Responses to immunotherapy were slow and variable. Overall, 63.6% patients had substantial recovery after immunotherapy or tumor removal. Neurological relapses occurred in 9.1%. Conclusions: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is increasingly recognized in Taiwan. It is characterized with characteristic clinical features, predominantly affects females with/without an ovarian tumor and apotentially treatable disorders. Early recognition and early intervention ofthe disease can improve the outcome. It is important for neurologist to befamiliar with the clinical presentations of the disease in children and young adults.

anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis, Taiwan