A rare condition called NMDAR Autoimmune Encephalitis can cause inflammation in the brain, mostly affecting people aged 20 to 40 years. Sometimes, it can be mistaken for mental health problems, leading to wrong treatment and bad outcomes. But getting the right diagnosis and treatment on time can help improve the patient’s condition.
In Mumbai, a team led by Dr. Pavan Pai, who is a Consultant Interventional Neurologist at Wockhardt Hospitals in Mira Road, successfully treated a 31-year-old woman who had this rare condition. She was mistakenly diagnosed with a stroke because she had symptoms like twisting movements on her right side, speech problems, and balance issues. But after the treatment, she’s now free from symptoms and living a normal life.
The woman, named Nikita Kumari, lives in Mira Road and works as a housewife. She went to Wockhardt Hospitals with complaints of her right hand twisting in July 2023. She had seen different neurologists and had an MRI scan, and was treated for a stroke. But then she had a seizure affecting her face and right arm. Dr. Pavan Pai examined her and another doctor, Dr. Pradnya Shinde, who is a Radiologist, looked at her MRI scan and found something wrong in the left side of her brain. A test on her cerebrospinal fluid showed she had NMDA receptor antibody, which meant she had NMDAR autoimmune encephalitis. She was given treatment with IV Immunoglobulin.
Dr. Pai explained, “Autoimmune encephalitis happens when the body makes antibodies that attack the brain and nerve cells. It’s like a mix-up where the body thinks the brain is something harmful like a virus. This condition is rare and mostly affects younger people between 20 to 40 years old. It can seem like mental health problems such as depression. But with the right treatment, like the one we gave Nikita, patients can recover well.”
He continued, “Nikita stopped taking her medicine when she got pregnant in October 2023 because she felt better. But sadly, she had a miscarriage in December 2023. Then in January 2024, she started having unusual neurological symptoms like problems with her speech and balance. Another MRI scan showed new problems in her brain. She was admitted to the hospital again and tests showed she still had the NMDA antibody. We gave her stronger medicine this time, and she was also given IV Rituximab to prevent the condition from coming back. I’ve only seen a few cases like Nikita’s in the past years. It’s important for patients like her to keep taking their medicine and come for regular check-ups, otherwise, they could have seizures that don’t respond to medicine or even permanent brain damage.”
Nikita shared her experience, saying, “Being diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis was really tough for me. It felt like my whole world was turned upside down with these recurring symptoms. But the team at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, especially Dr. Pavan Pai, helped me through it all. Their care and support made a huge difference in my recovery. Every day brought new progress in my fight against this condition, and I’m grateful for the holistic care I received at the hospital.”
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