Catatonia in Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Encephalitis Misdiagnosed as Schizophrenia

Authors

  • André Ponte Hospital Júlio de Matos. Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa. Lisboa. Clínica Universitária de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade de Lisboa. Lisboa.
  • Ana Brito Hospital Santo António dos Capuchos. Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central. Lisboa.
  • Camila Nóbrega Hospital Júlio de Matos. Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa. Lisboa.
  • Sofia Pinheiro Hospital Santo António dos Capuchos. Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central. Lisboa.
  • João Gama Marques Hospital Júlio de Matos. Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa. Lisboa. Clínica Universitária de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade de Lisboa. Lisboa.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.11077

Keywords:

Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis, Catatonia, Psychosis, Schizophrenia

Abstract

Anti-N-Mmethyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system with prominent neurologic and psychiatric features. Symptoms appear progressively and sometimes with an exclusively psychiatric initial presentation. The patient’s evaluation should be meticulous, and we should use all the diagnostic tests required for the exclusion of entities that can mimic this disease. We report the diagnostic investigation of a case of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis in a patient with a previous diagnosis of schizophrenia with poor response to antipsychotics. The aim of this case report is to highlight the importance of close surveillance for neuropsychiatric symptoms, especially catatonia, and to recognize autoimmune encephalitis in the differential diagnosis of psychotic disorders with neurological symptoms and resistance or intolerance to antipsychotics. A prompt diagnosis will contribute to a faster onset of therapy and an overall improvement in prognosis.

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Published

2020-03-02

How to Cite

1.
Ponte A, Brito A, Nóbrega C, Pinheiro S, Gama Marques J. Catatonia in Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Encephalitis Misdiagnosed as Schizophrenia. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2020 Mar. 2 [cited 2025 Apr. 6];33(3):208-11. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/11077

Issue

Vol. 33 No. 3 (2020): March

Section

Case Report

License

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