Antibody-mediated inflammatory brain disease (diagnosis) | 928.000000000000 | Antibody-mediated inflammatory brain disease (diagnosis) | Antibody-mediated inflammatory brain disease (diagnosis) | A | English | Immunology | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Brain | Immune system | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2013-05-13T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 13.8000000000000 | 25.8000000000000 | 516.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Learn what antibody-mediated inflammatory brain disorders are and how they are diagnosed.</p> | <h2>What are antibody-mediated inflammatory brain disorders?</h2><p>In antibody-mediated inflammatory disease, B cells (unique white blood cells) produce antibodies against the body's own structures; these are called autoantibodies. When autoantibodies bind to these structures, they induce unnecessary inflammation that is directed against healthy tissue. Autoantibodies directed against structures in the brain lead to irritation and swelling of brain tissue. If not treated, long standing inflammation can lead to permanent brain damage and dysfunction.</p>
<figure class="asset-c-80">
<span class="asset-image-title">Antibody-mediated normal immune </span>
<span class="asset-image-title">response</span>
<img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/IMD_antibody_mediated_normal_immune_response_EN.jpg" alt="Bacteria and virus enter the body, antibodies “mark” these as bad, immune cells attack the harmful things" />
<figcaption class="asset-image-caption">Your</figcaption>
<figcaption class="asset-image-caption"> body’s immune system produces antibodies to "mark" harmful things that enters your body. Special immune cells know what to attack by finding antibodies attached to the surface of these harmful things.</figcaption>
</figure> | | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul>
<li>In antibody-mediated inflammatory disease, antibodies are produced that act against the body's own structures. When this happens against structures in the brain this can lead to irritation and swelling of brain tissue. </li>
<li>Antibody-mediated inflammatory brain disease is diagnosed using signs and symptoms, analysis of blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples, an electroencephalogram and imaging such as an MRI or angiogram.</li>
</ul> | | | | | <h2>Diagnosing antibody-mediated inflammatory brain disease </h2><h3>Signs and symptoms</h3><p>First, your doctor will thoroughly explore your child's medical history including their current symptoms. They will also complete a full physical exam, neurological, neurocognitive and psychiatric assessment to see what particular signs of brain
<a href="/Article?contentid=926&language=English">inflammation</a> are present, for example cognitive dysfunction, movement abnormalities, memory recall, speech impediment, etc. This will help the doctor understand what parts of the central nervous system are affected. </p><h3>Blood test and spinal tap</h3><p>Following the initial clinical assessment, the doctor will request a blood sample and a sample of your child's
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the latter obtained through a
spinal tap. Your child's blood and CSF will be analyzed for various inflammatory markers, proteins and autoantibodies. The presence of neuronal autoantibodies in the blood and/or CSF is critical to the diagnosis of antibody-mediated inflammatory brain disease.</p><h3>Electroencephalogram (EEG)</h3><p>An
<a href="/Article?contentid=1277&language=English">EEG (Electroencephalogram)</a> measures the brain's electrical activity. Abnormalities in brain waves are indicative of changes in brain function. EEGs are used over a period of time to measure improvements in brain activity and to assess how well the brain is working. This is often used in the diagnostic work-up in order to identify tangible changes in brain function.</p><h3>Imaging</h3><p>An
<a href="https://akhpub.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=1270&language=English">MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)</a> is an imaging procedure that uses radio waves and a large magnet to take pictures of the brain. An MRI provides doctors with information that cannot be obtained from an X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan with the added advantage of emitting zero radiation. MRI findings will vary depending on what antibody is in your child's brain. Classic MRI abnormalities are seen in neuromyelitis, but are often normal in anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Therefore, it is possible to have antibody-mediated inflammatory disease despite normal findings on MRI.</p><p>An
<a href="https://akhpub.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=2440&language=English">angiogram</a> provides information regarding the amount of lumen in the blood vessels and the condition of the vessel walls. Angiographies are most helpful in the diagnosis of
<a href="/Article?contentid=914&language=English">CNS vasculitis</a> and often appear normal in antibody-mediated inflammatory brain conditions.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/IMD_antibody_mediated_normal_immune_response_EN.jpg | Antibody-mediated inflammatory brain disease (diagnosis) | | False | | | | | | |