Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37582614›Full record

ArticleNeurology(R) neuroimmunology & neuroinflammation2023

Mimics of Autoimmune Encephalitis: Validation of the 2016 Clinical Autoimmune Encephalitis Criteria.

Robin W Van Steenhoven, Juna M de Vries, Arlette L Bruijstens, Manuela Paunovic, Mariska M Nagtzaam, Suzanne C Franken, Anna E Bastiaansen, Marienke A De Bruijn, Agnes Van Sonderen, Marco W J Schreurs and 6 more

Erratum issuedOpen access · goldAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Neurology(R) neuroimmunology & neuroinflammation, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 39 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
39citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
12.1field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

39 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 59 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Autoimmune Encephalitis in Acute Care-Pathology, Diagnosis, and Management.Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2026
    Review
  4. Observational
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Review
  8. Review
  9. Article
  10. Movement Disorders in Antibody-Associated Neurologic Diseases: A Nationwide Study.Neurology(R) neuroimmunology & neuroinflammation · 2026
    Observational
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Article
  14. Article
  15. Article
  16. Article
  17. MedComm · 2025
    Article
  18. Review
  19. Article
  20. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Robin W Van SteenhovenFrom the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Juna M de VriesFrom the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Arlette L BruijstensFrom the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Manuela PaunovicFrom the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Mariska M NagtzaamFrom the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Suzanne C FrankenFrom the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Anna E BastiaansenFrom the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Marienke A De BruijnFrom the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Agnes Van SonderenFrom the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Marco W J SchreursFrom the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Mayke GardeniersFrom the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Robert M VerdijkFrom the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Rutger K BalversFrom the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Peter A Sillevis SmittFrom the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Rinze F NeuteboomFrom the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-6136-4981
Maarten J TitulaerFrom the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. m.titulaer@erasmusmc.nl.ORCID 0000-0002-1033-3840
Erasmus MC · NL

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

objectivesThe clinical criteria for autoimmune encephalitis (AE) were proposed by Graus et al. in 2016. In this study, the AE criteria were validated in the real world, and common AE mimics were described. In addition, criteria for probable anti-LGI1 encephalitis were proposed and validated.

methodsIn this retrospective cohort study, patients referred to our national referral center with suspicion of AE and specific neuroinflammatory disorders with similar clinical presentations were included from July 2016 to December 2019. Exclusion criteria were pure cerebellar or peripheral nerve system disorders. All patients were evaluated according to the AE criteria.

resultsIn total, 239 patients were included (56% female; median age 42 years, range 1-85). AE was diagnosed in 104 patients (44%) and AE mimics in 109 patients (46%). The most common AE mimics and misdiagnoses were neuroinflammatory CNS disorders (26%), psychiatric disorders (19%), epilepsy with a noninflammatory cause (13%), CNS infections (7%), neurodegenerative diseases (7%), and CNS neoplasms (6%). Common confounding factors were mesiotemporal lesions on brain MRI (17%) and false-positive antibodies in serum (12%). Additional mesiotemporal features (involvement extralimbic structures, enhancement, diffusion restriction) were observed more frequently in AE mimics compared with AE (61% vs 24%; DISCUSSION: AE mimics occur frequently. Common pitfalls in AE misdiagnosis are mesiotemporal lesions (predominantly with atypical features) and false-positive serum antibodies. As expected, the specificity of the criteria for possible AE is low because these criteria represent the minimal requirements for entry in the diagnostic algorithm for AE. Criteria for probable AE (-LGI1, -NMDAR, seronegative) and definite autoimmune LE are applicable for decisions on immunotherapy in early disease stage, as specificity is high.

Indexed as

Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor EncephalitisLimbic EncephalitisAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAntibodiesAutoimmune DiseasesChildChild, PreschoolEncephalitisFemaleHashimoto DiseaseHumansInfantMaleAntibodies

Identifiers

PMID37582614
PMCPMC10427145
OpenAlexW4385829919

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.