Autoimmune Epilepsy – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Autoimmune epilepsy happens when the body’s defense system attacks brain cells, triggering seizures. This condition often appears alongside autoimmune encephalitis, which causes brain inflammation.
In healthy people, the immune system protects against harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria. However, in autoimmune epilepsy, antibodies (immune proteins) incorrectly target brain receptors. This mistaken attack leads to brain inflammation and seizures.
This condition may also be referred to as:
- Autoimmune associated epilepsy
- Acute symptomatic seizures secondary to autoimmune encephalitis
Proper diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential for managing this condition effectively.
Signs and Symptoms
Autoimmune epilepsy often begins after a fever-related illness. The seizures typically start suddenly and can be severe.
Several types of seizures may occur in people with this condition.
- Focal seizures are most common in autoimmune epilepsy. Some focal seizures cause changes in awareness, where a person might stare blankly and not respond to their surroundings.
- Other focal seizures don’t affect awareness but cause various symptoms depending on which brain area is involved. These might include shaking in one part of the body, feelings of déjà vu, nausea, or visual disturbances like seeing flashing lights.
- Faciobrachial dystonic seizures are another type that affects autoimmune epilepsy patients. These cause muscle contractions on one side of the face and arm on the same side of the body.
People with autoimmune epilepsy may experience:
- Multiple seizures throughout the day
- Seizures that don’t respond to standard anti-seizure medications
- Status epilepticus (seizures lasting over five minutes or occurring back-to-back without regaining consciousness)
Beyond seizures, other symptoms may include:
- Memory problems and thinking difficulties
- Changes in personality and behavior
- Uncoordinated or involuntary movements
- Unusual eye movements
- Disruptions in automatic body functions like heart rate and blood pressure
When to Get Medical Help
Seek emergency care immediately if:
- A seizure lasts more than five minutes
- Multiple seizures occur without regaining consciousness between them
- High fever or breathing problems accompany seizures
Anyone experiencing their first seizure should see a healthcare provider right away. The same applies if you notice other symptoms of autoimmune epilepsy.
Causes
Autoimmune epilepsy develops when the body’s immune system incorrectly attacks brain cells, triggering seizures. While antibodies normally defend against harmful invaders like viruses, in autoimmune conditions they target healthy tissues instead.
Recent studies have confirmed that some forms of epilepsy have autoimmune origins.
Several key factors can lead to autoimmune epilepsy.
Autoimmune encephalitis represents the most common cause of autoimmune epilepsy. This condition involves brain inflammation resulting from the immune system mistakenly attacking brain cells. Specific antibodies often linked to this form of epilepsy include those targeting:
- NMDA-receptors
- LGI1
- CASPR2
- GAD65
Rasmussen syndrome occurs when immune T cells create inflammation and damage brain tissue, resulting in seizures. This condition can be particularly challenging, as patients may continue experiencing seizures even after treatment.
Cancer-related immune responses can also trigger autoimmune epilepsy. In what’s known as paraneoplastic syndrome, tumors can stimulate the immune system to attack healthy brain cells. This immune reaction, rather than the cancer itself, leads to the development of seizures.
The identification of these causes has helped doctors develop more targeted treatments for people suffering from seizures with autoimmune origins.
Risk Factors
People with other autoimmune diseases have a higher chance of developing autoimmune epilepsy. These conditions include:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Graves’ Disease
- Hashimoto Thyroiditis
- Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
- Lupus
A personal history of cancer also increases risk. Family history matters too—having a parent, sibling, or child with an autoimmune condition raises your risk of autoimmune epilepsy. While rare, this condition can affect both adults and children.
Complications
Prolonged seizures lasting over five minutes or occurring back-to-back, called status epilepticus, represent serious complications of autoimmune epilepsy. During these episodes, the person remains unconscious between seizures. These dangerous seizure situations require immediate emergency medical care.
Some patients develop drug-resistant seizures that continue despite treatment. This treatment resistance can make managing the condition more challenging and may require specialized care approaches.
Preventing Autoimmune Epilepsy
While completely preventing autoimmune epilepsy may not be possible, early detection plays a key role in managing potential triggers.
Regular cancer screenings are particularly important. They help identify and treat tumors before they can trigger autoimmune responses that lead to epilepsy.
Consider these preventive steps:
- Discuss your personal cancer risk factors with your doctor
- Follow recommended screening schedules based on your age and risk profile
- Report any unusual symptoms promptly
- Maintain regular medical check-ups
Early treatment of cancer can significantly reduce the risk of developing autoimmune encephalitis, which is known to cause epilepsy in some cases.
