Mycophenolate Mofetil Reduces Relapses in NMDA Encephalitis Patients

Source: BMJ (JNNP)

Summary

This study looked at the effects of a medication called mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on patients with a serious condition known as anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (NMDARE). Researchers conducted the study in four hospitals in China, focusing on patients aged 14 and older who had recently been diagnosed with NMDARE. The goal was to see if adding MMF to standard treatment could help reduce the chances of relapse and improve overall health.

The findings showed that patients who took MMF had significantly fewer relapses compared to those who did not take the medication—5.9% versus 26.5%. Additionally, more patients in the MMF group showed improvement in their condition within four weeks. While both groups had similar long-term outcomes after 12 and 24 months, those on MMF reported feeling less tired, had fewer cognitive issues, and experienced fewer seizures. The side effects from MMF were mostly mild to moderate, with no serious reactions reported.

These results are important because they suggest that adding MMF to standard treatment can help patients with NMDARE have a better chance of staying well and feeling better overall. However, it’s worth noting that the study was conducted in a specific group of patients and may not apply to everyone with NMDARE. More research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the long-term effects of MMF in different populations.

Original source