Tolédano, Michel B.

ABSTRACT Objectives To investigate the value of cytokine, chemokine, and neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentrations in predicting relapse risk, chronic epilepsy, and functional impairment in LGI1 autoimmune encephalitis (AE). Methods Cytokines/chemokines (IL‐1‐beta, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐8/CXCL8, IL‐10, IL‐12p70, IL‐13, IL‐17A, GM‐CSF, TNF‐alpha, IFN‐gamma, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL13, BAFF) and NfL concentrations were measured in CSF and paired serum from LGI1‐AE patients evaluated at Mayo Clinic (01/2015–02/2024), using a multiplex immunoassay system (ELLA, Bio‐Techne) and correlated with clinical outcomes. A laboratory‐based cohort of LGI1‐IgG‐positive patients and control cohorts, including patients with mixed non‐inflammatory disorders (MNID), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) were analyzed. Results Forty‐four patients with LGI1‐AE were included; 29 (66%) were male, with a median age of 68.5 years (range, 8–85). Median time from symptom onset to CSF sampling was eight months (IQR, 3–17); 19/42 (45%) experienced a clinical relapse and 27% developed chronic epilepsy. Serum IL‐6, serum and CSF IL‐8/CXCL8, and IL‐17A were higher in LGI1‐IgG positive patients than MNID ( p < 0.05). TLE cytokine/chemokine profiles were similar to LGI1 AE; AD patients had lower serum IL‐6 and CSF IL‐8/CXCL8 ( p = 0.04; p = 0.01), and higher serum IL‐17A and GM‐CSF ( p = 0.004; p = 0.01) than LGI1‐AE. Higher CSF IL‐6 and IL‐8/CXCL8 in LGI1‐AE associated with clinical relapse ( p < 0.05) and higher CSF NfL associated with chronic epilepsy ( p = 0.01). Conclusion Elevations in IL‐6, IL‐8/CXCL8, and IL‐17A were identified in this LGI1‐AE cohort. CSF IL‐6, IL‐8/CXCL8, and NfL levels are potential prognostic biomarkers for risk of relapse and chronic epilepsy in LGI1‐AE.

This international multicenter study seeks to determine the frequency and characteristics of meningitis in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOGAD)–associated disease and highlight its pathology.

AbstractDefining the CSF cytokine/chemokine and injury biomarker signature of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) autoimmunity can inform immunopathogenesis. CSF GFAP‐IgG‐positive samples (N = 98) were tested for 17 cytokines/chemokines, neurofilament light chain (NfL), and GFAP (ELLA, Bio‐Techne). Controls included non‐inflammatory (N = 42), AQP4‐IgG‐positive (N = 83), CNS infections (N = 13), and neurosarcoidosis (N = 32). IL5, IL6, IL10, IL8/CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL13, BAFF, GM‐CSF, IFN‐gamma, and TNF‐alpha concentrations were higher compared to non‐inflammatory controls (P < 0.01). GFAP concentrations were similar to those of AQP4‐IgG‐positive patients; NfL was higher (P < 0.001) and correlated with MRI changes and outcomes. CSF cytokine/chemokine findings in GFAP autoimmunity correlate with histopathology; GFAP and NfL hold promise as disease biomarkers.

The Neurohospitalist Core Competencies comprise a set of competency-based learning objectives that encapsulate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of neurohospitalitists who specialize in the care of hospitalized patients with neurologic conditions. These competencies serve to characterize the rapidly expanding field of neurohospitalist medicine. The 27 chapters are divided into 3 sections entitled: neurological conditions, clinical interventions and interpretation of ancillary studies, and neurohospitalist role in the healthcare system. Each individual learning objective in the chapters describes a specific concept with an action verb to illustrate the behavior that the neurohospitalist exhibits. The individual neurohospitalist may not exhibit mastery in each of the topics included as individual practices vary in scope and practice pattern. A few examples of how the complete set of competencies may be used include in the creation of curricula for neurohospitalist fellowships, to assist in defining the scope of practice of neurohospitalists for administrative leaders of hospitals and departments, and in influencing the direction of further research and quality improvement in the field.