Work

Trapped in Silence: Severe Catatonia From Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Encephalitis in a Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Patient With Craniopharyngioma

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We report a challenging case of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis in a 36-year-old female with neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) and a history of craniopharyngioma. Despite a functional ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt and negative infectious workup, she developed severe catatonia and neuropsychiatric symptoms, requiring intensive immunotherapy and psychiatric care. Diagnostic challenges arose from overlapping manifestations of neurofibromatosis I, recent central nervous system (CNS) procedures, and autoimmune encephalitis mimicking a psychiatric illness. Catatonia masked early treatment response, complicating clinical assessment. Her condition improved following coordinated multidisciplinary care, emphasizing the critical need for timely recognition and management of catatonia in autoimmune encephalitis, particularly in patients with neurogenetic disorders and recent neurosurgical history.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.98336

Authors: Kirubel Z Gebreselassie, Tizita Negash, Pablo Andres Bravo, Wayne Chiu

Institutions: Northside Hospital, Emory University

Language: English

Topic: Autoimmune Neurological Disorders and Treatments

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4416931268