TY - JOUR
T1 - Neuropsychological Sequelae, Quality of Life and Adaptive Behavior in Children and Adolescents with Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis
T2 - A Narrative Review
AU - Tarantino, Samuela
AU - Averna, Roberto
AU - Ruscitto, Claudia
AU - Ursitti, Fabiana
AU - Ferilli, Michela Ada Noris
AU - Moavero, Romina
AU - Papetti, Laura
AU - Proietti Checchi, Martina
AU - Sforza, Giorgia
AU - Balestri, Martina
AU - Grimaldi Capitello, Teresa
AU - Vigevano, Federico
AU - Vicari, Stefano
AU - Valeriani, Massimiliano
PY - 2021/10/22
Y1 - 2021/10/22
N2 - Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is a rare autoimmune illness characterized by a constellation of often severe, but treatable, psychiatric and neurological symptoms. Whereas symptoms such as psychosis and bizarre and abnormal motor behavior are common in adults, pediatric patients typically present with behavioral changes, irritability and sleep dysfunction. The recovery phase is usually slow and may be associated with longstanding adaptive, behavioral and neuropsychological problems. Very few studies explored the cognitive and adaptive sequelae in children with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. The present review article suggests that, although most children and adolescents return to their daily life and previous activities, they may have a low quality of life and show neuropsychological sequelae involving language, memory, especially verbal memory, and attentional resources, even after several months from the hospital discharge. In particular, the available results reveal difficulties in cognitive skills involving executive functions. This impairment is considered the "core" of the cognitive profile of young patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. On the other hand, some cognitive skills, such as general intelligence, show good overall recovery over time. Additional neuropsychological research evaluating larger samples, more homogenous methods and longitudinal studies is required.
AB - Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is a rare autoimmune illness characterized by a constellation of often severe, but treatable, psychiatric and neurological symptoms. Whereas symptoms such as psychosis and bizarre and abnormal motor behavior are common in adults, pediatric patients typically present with behavioral changes, irritability and sleep dysfunction. The recovery phase is usually slow and may be associated with longstanding adaptive, behavioral and neuropsychological problems. Very few studies explored the cognitive and adaptive sequelae in children with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. The present review article suggests that, although most children and adolescents return to their daily life and previous activities, they may have a low quality of life and show neuropsychological sequelae involving language, memory, especially verbal memory, and attentional resources, even after several months from the hospital discharge. In particular, the available results reveal difficulties in cognitive skills involving executive functions. This impairment is considered the "core" of the cognitive profile of young patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. On the other hand, some cognitive skills, such as general intelligence, show good overall recovery over time. Additional neuropsychological research evaluating larger samples, more homogenous methods and longitudinal studies is required.
KW - anti-NMDAR
KW - children
KW - adolescents
KW - neuropsychology
KW - adaptive behavior
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85118207758&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/brainsci11111387
DO - 10.3390/brainsci11111387
M3 - Review article
C2 - 34827386
SN - 2076-3425
VL - 11
JO - Brain Sciences
JF - Brain Sciences
IS - 11
M1 - 1387
ER -