Expanding the Clinical Landscape of Autoimmune Neurology

A special issue of NeuroSci (ISSN 2673-4087).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 580

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Neurology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
Interests: neuro-immunology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last two decades, a growing number of neuronal and glial antibodies have been identified, leading to the recognition of novel clinical entities and the emergence of autoimmune neurology. This expanding field focuses on autoimmune—typically antibody-mediated—diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The characterization of various forms of autoimmune encephalitis has broadened the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with seizures, cognitive impairment, movement disorders, and psychiatric symptoms. Likewise, the identification of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and MOG-antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) has reshaped our understanding of demyelinating disorders beyond multiple sclerosis. The evolving landscape of paraneoplastic syndromes—particularly following the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer treatment—the recognition of newly described peripheral autoimmune entities such as nodo- and paranodopathies, and the renewed interest in myasthenia gravis driven by novel disease-modifying therapies further exemplify the complexity and clinical relevance of autoimmune neurology.

The aim of this Research Topic is to gather new insights into the clinical characterization of autoimmune neurological diseases involving the central and peripheral nervous systems.

We welcome contributions addressing novel or unusual clinical associations, underexplored aspects such as epidemiology and triggering factors, neuroimaging findings, treatment strategies—including real-world experience with novel immunosuppressive therapies—and patient outcomes. Review articles, comparative studies, and original case reports are all highly encouraged.

Dr. Marco Zoccarato
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • antibodies
  • autoimmune encephalitis
  • paraneoplastic
  • NMOSD
  • MOGAD

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

15 pages, 262 KB  
Review
Catatonia in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
by Ciro Manzo, Jordi Serra-Mestres and Marco Isetta
NeuroSci 2025, 6(3), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/neurosci6030090 - 9 Sep 2025
Viewed by 304
Abstract
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is reported to be the most common rheumatological disorder associated with catatonia. To date, reports on catatonia manifestations in SLE patients are uncommon in published literature, which has often favored a fragmented vision. We performed a narrative review [...] Read more.
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is reported to be the most common rheumatological disorder associated with catatonia. To date, reports on catatonia manifestations in SLE patients are uncommon in published literature, which has often favored a fragmented vision. We performed a narrative review with the aim of identifying all published reports of catatonia in SLE patients to ascertain—in a comprehensive view—its clinical characteristics and to provide useful insights for daily clinical practice. Methods: Comprehensive literature searches were carried out on 10 March 2025 (subsequently repeated ahead of draft on 6 June) in all main bibliographic databases: MEDLINE and EMBASE (OVID interface); PsycINFO (ProQuest); and PubMed, to capture within-text references. All searches combined controlled (MESH, Entree, and APA Headings) and free-text elements for both areas under observation: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) AND catatonia, with primary focus on case reports and series. Sets of findings were reviewed separately by the authors, and the full text of selected items was sourced. Further useful references were retrieved through citation lists. Results: 39 cases of patients with SLE and catatonia were identified (35 females and 4 males), with a mean age of 22.64 years (range 11–46). Only three patients were over the age of 40; a total of 10 had catatonia at the same time of SLE onset and 5 within a month of SLE diagnosis. Antiphospholipid and anti-ribosomal P protein antibodies were rarely identified. Almost all the patients improved following treatment with lorazepam and/or electroconvulsive therapy. Only one case of malignant catatonia was reported. Finally, a large number of patients were Asian or Afro-American, at least in the reports where ethnicity was specified. Conclusions: Catatonia can occur in patients with SLE, and it may be its first clinical manifestation, especially in young patients. Its prognosis is mostly favorable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Expanding the Clinical Landscape of Autoimmune Neurology)
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