Continuous 6 test sessions, 17-year-old girl suffering from autoimmune encephalitis

A Chinese student has developed a rare and severe illness after studying continuously. Photo: Freepik.

Tan Tan, a 17-year-old girl, is a sophomore in a high school in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China (equivalent to grade 11 in Vietnam). In preparation for the final exams, Tan Tan’s mind is always under stress.

Recently, after completing 6 sets of exams overnight, Tan Tan began to experience insomnia, non-stop nonsense talking, and delusional behavior.

Seeing their daughter in distress, her family rushed her to a nearby psychosomatic rehabilitation department. Unfortunately, after one week of taking psychiatric medication, Tan Tan’s condition not only did not improve but also showed symptoms such as fever, inability to communicate with others, and numbness in her face and limbs. Recurring several times, Tan Tan’s parents had to rush her to Hàn Khẩu Hospital in Wuhan for emergency treatment.

Dr. Nhạc Văn Khanh – Deputy Head of the Intensive Care Unit, provided detailed consultation during Tan Tan’s health examination. He ordered an MRI of her brain and performed a lumbar puncture.

Through careful examination, it was ultimately determined that Tan Tan had an autoimmune encephalitis. This is a relatively serious form of encephalitis caused by antibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. After treating the symptoms, Tan Tan gradually recovered and was able to return to school.

Dr. Nhạc added that autoimmune encephalitis or NMDA encephalitis is a rare acute encephalitis. The disease is caused by the immune system producing antibodies to target the Glutamate receptors in the brain (NMDA – N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors). NMDA receptors are proteins involved in transmitting nerve impulses related to memory, language, and autonomic nervous system (heart rate, breathing).

Simply put, the body’s immune system produces protective antibodies against a very small structure on the surface of nerve cells in the brain (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors). This impact damages the nervous system, leading to the neurological manifestations of the disease.

This is a very rare but serious condition. Once it occurs and is not treated in a timely manner, it can cause unpredictable consequences as the immune cells mistake the brain tissue for a foreign antigen and launch an attack.

Why does this self-attack occur? Dr. Nhạc explained that the specific pathogenesis of autoimmune encephalitis is still unclear, but factors such as excessive fatigue, weakened immunity, and low immune capabilities can contribute to the disease.

After contracting the disease, patients may experience neurological abnormalities such as hallucinations, seizures, and altered consciousness. Tan Tan had to endure high levels of pressure for a long time, stayed up late, leading to mental exhaustion, decreased immune function, and susceptibility to autoimmune attacks.

This story serves as a reminder, especially as the university entrance exams approach, for students to learn how to manage their time effectively and balance studying with rest. Parents should also help their children relieve stress, regulate emotions, engage in suitable outdoor sports, and maintain a positive mindset.

Remember, the clinical manifestations of autoimmune encephalitis are complex and can be easily confused and misdiagnosed. Early detection and treatment are crucial to minimizing or avoiding long-term complications.