Hashimoto's encephalopathy

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Hashimoto's encephalopathy
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Cognitive impairment, seizures, psychosis, myoclonus, ataxia, headache
Complications	N/A
Onset	Typically middle age
Duration	Variable
Types	N/A
Causes	Autoimmune disorder associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Risks	Thyroid autoimmunity
Diagnosis	Clinical evaluation, thyroid function tests, antithyroid antibodies
Differential diagnosis	Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, encephalitis, stroke, dementia
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Corticosteroids, immunosuppressive therapy
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a rare, autoimmune condition that involves the brain and is associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. It is also known as steroid responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT).

Symptoms

The symptoms of Hashimoto's encephalopathy can vary widely and may include confusion, drowsiness, seizures, hallucinations, stroke-like episodes, and memory loss. Some people may have mild symptoms, while others may have severe symptoms. The symptoms can also come and go.

Causes

The exact cause of Hashimoto's encephalopathy is unknown. It is thought to be related to the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies. However, the antibodies are also present in people who do not have Hashimoto's encephalopathy, so it is unclear why some people develop the condition and others do not.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Hashimoto's encephalopathy is often difficult because the symptoms can be similar to those of many other neurological conditions. The diagnosis is usually made based on the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies and response to steroid treatment.

Treatment

Treatment for Hashimoto's encephalopathy typically involves high-dose corticosteroids. Other treatments may include other immunosuppressive drugs, plasmapheresis, and intravenous immunoglobulin.

Prognosis

The prognosis for people with Hashimoto's encephalopathy varies. Some people may recover completely with treatment, while others may have persistent symptoms or relapses.

See also

• Autoimmune disease
• Encephalopathy
• Hashimoto's thyroiditis
• Thyroid disease

External links

• Hashimoto's encephalopathy: epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment at PubMed

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