Updates in Autoimmune Neurology: Phenotype-Specific Testing and Avoiding Misdiagnosis



 

Autoimmune neurology is a rapidly growing field, with new antibodies, syndromes, and treatment strategies developing every year. While individual antibody-mediated neurologic diseases are rare, autoimmune causes of encephalitis are as common as infectious causes. This presentation provides a brief overview of autoimmune neurology, discusses strategies for testing for these rare diseases, and reviews some of the common pitfalls that can lead to misdiagnosis.

Originally presented on March 28, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah.


Lecture Presenters

Lisa K. Peterson, PhD, D(ABMLI)

Lisa K. Peterson, PhD, D(ABMLI)

Associate Professor
University of Utah School of Medicine
Medical Director, Immunology
ARUP Laboratories

Dr. Lisa K. Peterson is a medical director of immunology at ARUP Laboratories and an associate professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Dr. Peterson received her doctorate degree in experimental pathology from the University of Utah. She then completed an immunology fellowship at the National Jewish Health and University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Subsequently, she completed a clinical immunology fellowship at the University of Utah and ARUP Laboratories. Dr. Peterson is board certified, and she is a member of several professional societies, including the Association of Medical Laboratory Immunologists, the Clinical Immunology Society, and the American Academy of Neurology. She is the recipient of the Doctorate award and the Young Investigator award. Her research interests include immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, and autoimmune neurology.


Tammy Smith, MD, PhD

Tammy Smith, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Neurology, Division of Neuroimmunology
University of Utah School of Medicine
Clinical Consultant, Autoimmune Neurology
ARUP Laboratories
GRECC Investigator
George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Dr. Tammy Smith is a clinical consultant in autoimmune neurology at ARUP Laboratories, an assistant professor of neurology at the University of Utah School of Medicine and a GRECC investigator at the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Smith received her medical degree from the University of Utah School of Medicine as well as a doctorate degree in microbiology and immunology from the University of Utah. She completed a residency in neurology at Rush University Medical Center and a fellowship in autoimmune neurology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Dr. Smith is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Neurological Association. Her research interests include autoimmune neurology, paraneoplastic neurologic disease, and immunodeficiency.


Objectives

After this presentation, participants will be able to:

  • Describe how the location of antineural antibody targets impacts strategies and informs treatment decisions
  • Identify clinical characteristics which support testing for antineural antibodies, and how phenotype-specific panels can be used to increase the chances of obtaining clinically meaningful results
  • Recognize the most common pitfalls which lead to misdiagnosis of immune-mediated neurologic diseases

Sponsored by:

University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, and ARUP Laboratories