Overview

Name: Autoimmunity and CNS disorders

Description: Brain diseases including mental health

This casebook is published and has been read 115 times.

The author of this casebook has identified the following medical topics as being highly relevant to this casebook.

• Epilepsy -- A disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of paroxysmal brain dysfunction due to a sudden, disorderly, and excessive neuronal discharge. Epilepsy classification systems are generally based upon: (1) clinical features of the seizure episodes (e.g., motor seizure), (2) etiology (e.g., post-traumatic), (3) anatomic site of seizure origin (e.g., frontal lobe seizure), (4) tendency to spread to other structures in the brain, and (5) temporal patterns (e.g., nocturnal epilepsy). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p313)
  
  
• autoimmunity -- Process whereby the immune system reacts against the body's own tissues. Autoimmunity may produce or be caused by AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES.
  
  
• Limbic Encephalitis -- A paraneoplastic syndrome marked by degeneration of neurons in the medial temporal lobe. Clinical features include behavioral changes, HALLUCINATIONS, loss of short term memory, anosmia, AGEUSIA, and DEMENTIA. Circulating anti-neuronal antibodies (anti-Hu; also called ANNA 1) and small cell lung carcinomas are frequently associated with this condition. (From Pathologe 1997 Sep;18(5):406-10; J Int Neuropsychol Soc 1996 Sep;2(5):460-6; Brain 1997 Jun;120(Pt 6):923-8)
  
  
• Encephalitis -- Inflammation of the BRAIN due to infection, autoimmune processes, toxins, and other conditions. Viral infections (see ENCEPHALITIS, VIRAL) are a relatively frequent cause of this condition.
  
  

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