Treatment of γ-aminobutyric acid_B receptor-antibody autoimmune encephalitis with oral corticosteroids

Background : Autoimmune encephalitis is increasingly identified as a cause of nonviral, idiopathic encephalitis. Present treatment algorithms recommend costly immune-modulating treatments and do not identify a role for oral corticosteroids. Objective: To present a patient with γ-aminobutyric acidB receptor-antibody encephalitis before and after treatment with oral corticosteroids. Design : Case report. Setting: The inpatient course as well as outpatient fol-low- up is discussed. Patient: A 43-year-old man with initial presentation of seizures and altered mental status. Intervention : Our patient was treated with an extended course of oral corticosteroids as an outpatient. Results: After treatment with oral corticosteroids, our patient had steady clinical improvement, achieved seizure freedom, and experienced improved mental status to within normal limits. Conclusions: This case supports the use of low-cost oral corticosteroids in treating patients with γ-aminobutyric acidB receptor-antibody encephalitis.