The use of corticosteroids in autoimmune encephalitis: Basic and clinical considerations

Abstract

Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is a brain inflammation caused by autoantibodies that target proteins, intracellular and extracellular antigens, triggering damage in the CNS; AE is classified in various syndromes caused by various antibodies, It is a diagnosis of exclusion. Therefore, it has to be differentiated from multiple causes that could unleash encephalitis. However, its treatment is based primarily on immunotherapy, where corticosteroids as immunosuppressive agents, play a key role in the treatment along with other agents.