Case Report/Case Series: Rare case of anti-LGI1 limbic encephalitis with rapidly progressive dementia, psychiatric symptoms, and frequently seizures: A case report

RATIONALE: Anti leucine-rich glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1) limbic encephalitis (LE) is rare autoimmune encephalitis, characterized by acute or subacute cognitive impairment, faciobrachial dystonic seizures, mental disorders, and refractory hyponatremia. As a type of treatable rapidly progressive dementia with a good prognosis, early, and accurate diagnosis is essential. We present a case of anti-LGI1 LE who was initially misdiagnosed with Alzheimer disease because his clinical manifestations were similar to Alzheimer disease. PATIENT CONCERNS: A male patient presenting with rapidly progressive dementia, faciobrachial dystonic seizures, psychiatric disturbance, and refractory hyponatremia was admitted. The scores of Mini-Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory were 19/30, 16/30, and 91/144, respectively. Brain magnetic resonance images indicated moderate atrophy of the hippocampus and abnormally hyperintensities in the left medial temporal and hippocampus. DIAGNOSIS: The patient was diagnosed with anti-LGI1 LE based on the presence of LGI-1 antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum and clinical manifestations. INTERVENTIONS: Patient was treated with glucocorticoid against LGI1, antiepileptic drug, cholinesterase inhibitors, and other adjuvant therapy. OUTCOMES: The patient showed marked improvement on immunotherapy. Clinical symptoms were disappeared and the LGI-1 antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid and serum were both negative at the time of discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of the specific symptoms and LGI-1 antibody test will be helpful for the early diagnosis, prompt immunotherapy, and good prognosis. This case raises the awareness that rapidly progressive dementia with frequent seizures could be caused by immunoreactions.