Schizophrenia after remission of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) dysfunction is an attractive hypothesis regarding the etiology of schizophrenia. We present the unprecedented case of a woman diagnosed with schizophrenia without antiNMDAR antibodies after history of NMDAR encephalitis. A first episode of psychosis was antibody-positive and was improved with steroid and immunoglobulin treatment. Second and third episodes were antibodynegative, each about three months postpartum (different pregnancies) and were improved with antipsychotics. Without NMDAR encephalitis-related findings, we diagnosed schizophrenia. After anti-NMDAR encephalitis, NMDAR dysfunction may decrease the threshold for the onset of psychosis. This case provides insight into NMDAR dysfunction on etiology of schizophrenia.

Automated summary

This article presents a case of a woman diagnosed with schizophrenia without antiNMDAR antibodies after experiencing NMDAR encephalitis. The study suggests that NMDAR dysfunction may be associated with the onset of schizophrenia.