Schizophrenia after remission of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis

Abstract

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 anti-NMDAR 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 antibody-negative, 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.