Autoimmune encephalitis management: MS centers and beyond

Abstract

Traditionally, multiple sclerosis (MS) specialists have been the go-to providers for managing certain treatable non-demyelinating inflammatory or autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The advent of increased incidence (mostly due to improved recognition) prompts the question: who should be managing autoimmune encephalitis? These patients are generally first encountered in the hospital, as well as general neurology and subspecialty clinics, such as epilepsy. Autoimmune neurology is a specialty which gives focus to evaluation and treatment of patients with autoimmune encephalitis, among other disorders, and trains neurologists accordingly. Some of those experts are dual trained in both MS and non-MS inflammatory/autoimmune CNS disorders. Many other autoimmune specialists are trained in non-MS care, such as hospital neurology, movement disorders, and epilepsy. General and other subspecialty providers increasingly find the need to be versed in management of autoimmune encephalitis.