Identifying new antibody targets in autoimmune encephalitis and related conditions
Official title: Autoimmune Encephalitis - Ataxia and Psychiatric Disease: Identifying and Characterizing Novel Antibody Targets
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10783688 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $767,107 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH122471-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10783688 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with or suspected of having autoimmune encephalitis, particularly those experiencing neurological or psychiatric symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with encephalitis caused by non-autoimmune factors, such as infections or other non-inflammatory conditions, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding autoimmune encephalitis, a condition that can lead to severe neurological symptoms such as ataxia and psychiatric disorders. The team at UCSF is working to identify specific autoantibodies that may be responsible for these conditions, which could help in diagnosing and treating affected patients. By analyzing a cohort of patients with suspected encephalitis, the researchers aim to discover biomarkers that can guide clinical decisions and improve patient outcomes. The study employs a combination of clinical assessments and laboratory techniques to characterize these antibodies and their role in disease mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses and targeted treatments for patients suffering from autoimmune encephalitis and related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully identified autoantibodies in similar conditions, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful advancements in understanding and treating autoimmune encephalitis.
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
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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.