Clinical manifestations and outcomes of the treatment of patients with GABAB encephalitis

• FDG-PET showed variable patterns of autoimmune limbic encephalitis.
• Clinical triad of limbic encephalitis, seizure, and association with small-cell lung cancer was identified.
• Comprehensive immunotherapy can be effective.

Encephalitis associated with anti-γ-aminobutyric acid-B (GABAB) receptor antibodies has been identified recently. However, only a few cases have been reported to date and its clinical manifestations and prognosis have not been investigated systematically. We identified five cases of GABAB encephalitis in Korea. Here we present the clinical features, treatment responses, and brain positron emission tomography findings of the cases. The patients had a clinical triad of memory changes, seizure, and association with small-cell lung cancer. Early diagnosis and comprehensive immune modulation may provide a good outcome.