Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis.

BACKGROUND: Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) is a syndrome characterized by the development of neuropsychiatric symptoms due to a misdirected tumor-activated antibody response that damages host neural tissue. Definitive treatment relies on the identification and ablation of the underlying tumor. Few publications describe the management of psychiatric symptoms associated with PLE.

OBJECTIVE: Given the plethora of neuropsychiatric symptoms that may mimic primary psychiatric illness, and the possibility that PLE may herald a life-threatening malignancy, it is important that psychiatrists become familiar with this condition.

METHOD: The authors review and discuss the consensus literature on the various aspects of PLE.

DISCUSSION: In this review, authors summarize proposed mechanisms and treatments of PLE.