Anti-Hu encephalitis entities

Clinic

• Anti-Hu associated encephalitis= Anti-ANNA1 associated encephalitis
• It is an uncommon form of brain inflammation that is associated with an underlying cancer (usually small cell lung carcinoma)

Sign / Symptoms

• Depression, anxiety
• Confusion, memory loss, weakness, sensory loss, pain, seizures
• Incoordinating the movement of the body.
• These brain regions regulate anger, fear, memory formation, and motor and sensory signaling.
• Affected persons may develop memory loss and may have sudden changes in personality.
• This is often accompanied by headaches, delusions or hallucinations.
• In some cases, the antibodies attack brain-stem which leads to dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and respiratory failure.

Cause

• Anti-Hu associated encephalitis is a syndrome associated with cancer.
  • Small cell lung cancer is a particularly aggressive cancer more common in smokers and is associated with anti-Hu encephalitis.
  • Neuroblastoma is a cancer more frequently affecting children, and despite the relatively low rates of anti-Hu among children with neuroblastoma.

Pathophysiology

• Nearly all people with the condition have anti-Hu antibodies in their serum.
• The antibody can involve a number of neural structures including the brain-stem, cerebellum, spinal cord, dorsal roots, peripheral nerves and limbic system (Amygdala, Hippocampus, and Thalamus.)