NEURO-PSYCHIATRIC MANIFESTATIONS OF HASHIMOTO THYROIDITIS; A CASE SERIES

Abstract

Hashimoto Encephalopathy (HE) or Steroid-Responsive Encephalopathy associated with Autoimmune Thyroiditis (SREAT) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by encephalopathy and elevated anti-thyroid antibodies in the absence of a central nervous system (CNS) infection, tumour or stroke. Clinical presentation of HE includes amnestic syndrome, seizures including status epilepticus, ataxia, myoclonus and psychiatric manifestations like depression, mania, psychosis and hallucinations. A good clinical response can be achieved with corticosteroid therapy so early diagnosis and treatment is very beneficial for patients. Here we report fourpatients with Hashimoto encephalopathy who had neuro-psychiatric manifestations of the disease and had detectable thyroid specific antibodies in the serum (thyroperoxidase antibody formerly known as antimicrosomal antibody). All these patients showed an objectively significant response to methylprednisolone treatment.

Keywords

• autoimmune disease
• encephalitis