Spontaneous partial resolution of autoimmune-mediated brain MRI abnormalities before immunotherapy in anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 encephalitis: a case report

Anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) encephalitis is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by varied neurological symptoms, often associated with limbic syndromes. We report the case of a 57-year-old female who presented with obvious ataxia, and then cognitive impairment and behavioral...

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Main Authors: Jingjiong Chen, Xin Tang, Linran Wang, Dandan Guo, Li Cao, Kaili Lu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1568005/full
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author Jingjiong Chen
Xin Tang
Linran Wang
Dandan Guo
Li Cao
Kaili Lu
author_facet Jingjiong Chen
Xin Tang
Linran Wang
Dandan Guo
Li Cao
Kaili Lu
author_sort Jingjiong Chen
collection DOAJ
description Anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) encephalitis is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by varied neurological symptoms, often associated with limbic syndromes. We report the case of a 57-year-old female who presented with obvious ataxia, and then cognitive impairment and behavioral changes. MRI revealed cerebellar dentate nucleus and basal ganglia lesions with enhancement, which spontaneously regressed on follow-up imaging—a rare phenomenon in mGluR5 encephalitis. Diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of serum mGluR5 antibodies. Extensive evaluations excluded underlying malignancies. Immunotherapy, including corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin, led to significant clinical and radiological improvement. This case highlights the unique cerebellar dentate nucleus and basal ganglia involvement and spontaneous partial reduction of lesions in mGluR5 encephalitis, expanding the clinical spectrum of this condition. Early recognition and immunotherapy are crucial for favorable outcomes. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind spontaneous partial lesion regression in autoimmune encephalitis.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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spelling doaj-art-7c02e35e0f864044baeeee51bdb8b2a32025-08-20T03:12:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-05-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15680051568005Spontaneous partial resolution of autoimmune-mediated brain MRI abnormalities before immunotherapy in anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 encephalitis: a case reportJingjiong ChenXin TangLinran WangDandan GuoLi CaoKaili LuAnti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) encephalitis is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by varied neurological symptoms, often associated with limbic syndromes. We report the case of a 57-year-old female who presented with obvious ataxia, and then cognitive impairment and behavioral changes. MRI revealed cerebellar dentate nucleus and basal ganglia lesions with enhancement, which spontaneously regressed on follow-up imaging—a rare phenomenon in mGluR5 encephalitis. Diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of serum mGluR5 antibodies. Extensive evaluations excluded underlying malignancies. Immunotherapy, including corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin, led to significant clinical and radiological improvement. This case highlights the unique cerebellar dentate nucleus and basal ganglia involvement and spontaneous partial reduction of lesions in mGluR5 encephalitis, expanding the clinical spectrum of this condition. Early recognition and immunotherapy are crucial for favorable outcomes. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind spontaneous partial lesion regression in autoimmune encephalitis.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1568005/fullautoimmune encephalitismetabotropic glutamate receptor 5cerebellar dentate nucleus lesionsspontaneous partial regressioncase report
spellingShingle Jingjiong Chen
Xin Tang
Linran Wang
Dandan Guo
Li Cao
Kaili Lu
Spontaneous partial resolution of autoimmune-mediated brain MRI abnormalities before immunotherapy in anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 encephalitis: a case report
Frontiers in Immunology
autoimmune encephalitis
metabotropic glutamate receptor 5
cerebellar dentate nucleus lesions
spontaneous partial regression
case report
title Spontaneous partial resolution of autoimmune-mediated brain MRI abnormalities before immunotherapy in anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 encephalitis: a case report
title_full Spontaneous partial resolution of autoimmune-mediated brain MRI abnormalities before immunotherapy in anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 encephalitis: a case report
title_fullStr Spontaneous partial resolution of autoimmune-mediated brain MRI abnormalities before immunotherapy in anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 encephalitis: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Spontaneous partial resolution of autoimmune-mediated brain MRI abnormalities before immunotherapy in anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 encephalitis: a case report
title_short Spontaneous partial resolution of autoimmune-mediated brain MRI abnormalities before immunotherapy in anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 encephalitis: a case report
title_sort spontaneous partial resolution of autoimmune mediated brain mri abnormalities before immunotherapy in anti metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 encephalitis a case report
topic autoimmune encephalitis
metabotropic glutamate receptor 5
cerebellar dentate nucleus lesions
spontaneous partial regression
case report
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1568005/full
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