“Light Switch” Mental Status Changes and Irritable Insomnia are Two Particularly Salient Features of Anti-NMDA Receptor Antibody Encephalitis

Light switch mental status changes and irritable insomnia are important early features of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibody encephalitis that can signal the presence of this disorder. The exact pathophysiology of these two symptoms has not been fully elucidated, and we feel that presence of one or both of these symptoms early in the disease course should prompt immediate concern for this disorder.