Journal of Pediatric Neurology 2015; 13(04): 144-154
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1558860
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Autoimmune Movement Disorders in Children: Clinical Characteristics and Therapeutic Considerations

Shekeeb S. Mohammad
1   Neuroimmunology group, University of Sydney, Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research, The Kids Research Institute at the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Australia
,
Margherita Nosadini
2   TY Nelson Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Australia
,
Fabienne Brilot
1   Neuroimmunology group, University of Sydney, Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research, The Kids Research Institute at the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Australia
,
Russell C. Dale
1   Neuroimmunology group, University of Sydney, Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research, The Kids Research Institute at the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Australia
2   TY Nelson Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Australia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

05 April 2015

06 April 2015

Publication Date:
07 August 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Autoimmune movement disorders are important to recognize when they are treatable, and early treatment improves outcomes. We present the recent paradigms identified in autoimmune encephalopathy including diagnostic guidelines, autoantibody pathogenesis, and therapeutic considerations. We describe the autoimmune encephalitides associated with movement disorders such as N-methyl d-aspartate receptor encephalitis and basal ganglia encephalitis, the autoimmune movement disorders (nonencephalitic) such as opsoclonus–myoclonus–ataxia syndrome and Sydenham chorea, and movement disorders associated with systemic autoimmune disorders. In all these disorders, recurrent therapeutic themes are as follows: early immune therapy improves outcome, adequate immune therapy should be used to achieve complete remission, and relapse prevention reduces disability.