Autoimmune Encephalitis: finding new antibody targets to understand brain inflammation
Official title: Autoimmune Encephalitis and Psychiatric Morbidity: Identifying and Characterizing Novel Antibody Targets
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11305820 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying people and animal models to discover new antibodies linked to autoimmune brain inflammation and what they mean for diagnosis and treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | April 16, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $816,760 |
| NIH project number | 2R01MH122471-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11305820 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with suspected autoimmune encephalitis or related autoimmune brain disorders, and those who have certain antibodies or inflammatory brain symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
People without autoimmune brain inflammation or without identified antibody involvement may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant brings together neurologists and scientists to identify neural antibodies that cause or signal autoimmune encephalitis. Using patient cohorts and advanced lab work, researchers aim to uncover biomarkers and understand how these antibodies contribute to symptoms like psychosis, seizures, and memory problems. The project builds on data from thousands of patients and collaborates across centers to validate new targets that could guide therapy. The work could lead to better, more precise treatments and fewer side effects for people with these complex conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may get faster, more accurate diagnoses and targeted therapies that reduce harmful treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has linked anti-neural antibodies to encephalitis and informed biomarker discovery, with ongoing validation in larger cohorts.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilson, Michael R — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Wilson, Michael R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Identifying MRI markers of thinking problems in autoimmune brain inflammation
A small study will look for MRI signs that relate to memory problems in people with autoimmune limbic encephalitis.
-
Understanding how antibodies affect brain signaling in autoimmune encephalitis
This study is looking at how certain antibodies in the body can affect brain function in people with autoimmune encephalitis, with the hope of finding new ways to help improve treatments for those living with this condition.
-
Identifying new antibody targets in autoimmune encephalitis and related conditions
This study is looking at autoimmune encephalitis to find specific markers in the blood that could help doctors diagnose and treat patients better, especially those experiencing serious neurological and psychiatric symptoms.
-
How human antibodies affect brain signaling in autoimmune encephalitis
This study is looking at how certain antibodies in the body affect brain function in people with autoimmune encephalitis, with the hope of finding new ways to help improve treatments for those dealing with this condition.
-
Pregnant Women with Neuroimmune Diseases: A long-term follow-up study
This study follows women with neuroimmune diseases and healthy controls through pregnancy and up to ten years to see how pregnancy affects disease activity and outcomes for both mother and baby.
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Identifying new autoantibodies and causes of autoimmune encephalitis
This project looks for new autoantibodies and other disease features in adults with autoimmune encephalitis to help improve diagnosis and care.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.