Developing Advanced Neuroimaging in Autoimmune Encephalitis (DANCE-AE)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing Advanced Neuroimaging for Clinical Evaluation of Autoimmune Encephalitis (DANCE-AE)
IRAS ID
297793
Contact name
David Carmichael
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 1 months, 28 days
Research summary
Autoimmune encephalitis is brain inflammation caused by the body’s own immune system mistakenly reacting against proteins in the brain. The commonest form is called NMDAR-antibody encephalitis (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibody encephalitis), a rare condition which mainly affects children and young people and causes difficulties in memory, thinking and mental health which can have significant long-term impacts on education, employment and quality of life.
In this project we will use advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure changes in the structure, function and chemistry of the brains of children and young people who are in early recovery from NMDAR-antibody encephalitis and other forms of immune-mediated encephalitis. We will investigate if MRI measurements in patients differ from those in healthy people, and if they can help predict patient outcome one year later, assessed by tests of memory, thinking, mental health and functioning in daily life.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/LO/0057
Date of REC Opinion
9 Mar 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion