Short Communication Open Access

Rare cause of acute psychiatric manifestation in children: a case report of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis- Noor Al Modihesh- King Saud University Medical City

Abstract

 NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate, a glutamate receptor) receptor is involved in higher brain functions including learning and memory. Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune disorder with complex presentations that includes psychiatric symptoms, memory deficits and autonomic instability. It has been recognized as an important differential diagnosis in patients presented initially with psychiatric manifestations. Patients present variant signs that range from anxiety symptoms and seizure to unresponsive states, which may mislead diagnosis towards psychosis in the emergency department as this disease is a neurological disorder in psychiatric disguise. As the diagnosis of this disorder creates a great challenge in emergency department mainly for psychiatrist and can be easily missed, its recognition for physicians in general and psychiatrists specially, is very important. It is crucial to know about its clinical presentation and management. The difficulty in this case is being in very young age group. Awareness and early recognition yields a high recovery rate and better prognosis.

 Noor Al Modihesh

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