The Phenomenology of Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis: A Comparison with "Primary Mental Confusion" in Late 19th Century French Psychiatry.
Frontiers in Bioscience April 1, 2022 Ryo Kato, Ryo Takenaka, Takuya Matsumoto
Analysis of 47 case reports of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis supports the clinical course previously proposed by Iizuka et al. Common features include prodromal cold-like symptoms (31.9%), delirium or acute confusional state (65.9%), sudden personality changes (40.4%) in the psychotic phase, central hypoventilation (14.9%) in the unresponsive phase, motor disturbances (57.4%), and autonomic symptoms without fluctuations (48.9%) in the hyperkinetic phase. These features resemble "primary mental confusion" (confusion mentale primitive) described in French psychiatry in the late 19th century. The authors argue that classical psychiatric concepts can meaningfully inform the interpretation of biological research findings.