Antibody neutralization as a potential treatment for NMDA receptor encephalitis
Patients with NMDAR encephalitis present with a rapid progression of neuropsychiatric manifestations that may lead to long-lasting coma within weeks. Intrathecally and systemically produced IgG auto-antibodies to the GluN1 subunit of the NMDAR are considered as the main pathogenic factor. Immunosuppressive treatment has only a delayed efficacy. The aim of this project is to investigate new therapeutic approaches to specifically block and neutralize the action of pathogenic autoantibodies. We will use novel bioengineering techniques to develop specific and target-directed therapies that will be tested in-vitro and in mouse models for NMDAR encephalitis using electrophysiological approaches and behavioral analysis. These experimental paradigms if effective may open new treatment avenues in antibody-mediated CNS disorders.