Rituximab as a treatment for limbic encephalitis associated with leucine-richglioma inactivated-1: A case report and literature review.

Abstract

Leucine-rich glioma-inactivated-1 (LGI1) protein antibody-associated limbic encephalitis (LE) is a treatable autoimmune disease. This report is about the administration of rituximab in two patients with LGI1 antibody-associated LE. Both patients had progressive confusion, behavioral alteration, memory impairment and temporal lobe seizures. Treatment included steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and rituximab. Patients showed a positive response to the therapy. Both patients satisfactorily tolerated rituximab and neither experienced side effects. We also reviewed the recommended treatments for the LGI1 LE. Based on the recent reports, rituximab has the potential to become one of the treatment options for LE. Nevertheless, more evidence is necessary in order to accurately evaluate its efficacy.