Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is a type of brain inflammation caused by antibodies. Early symptoms may include fever, headache, and feeling tired. This is then typically followed by psychosis which presents with false beliefs (delusions) and seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear (hallucinations). It is an autoimmune disease where the body creates antibodies against the NMDA receptors in the brain. These antibodies disrupt normal brain signaling and cause brain swelling, or encephalitis.

Religious delusions and hallucinations are false, unshakeable beliefs that reflect religious content or themes, and are out of keeping with the person's cultural or social background. They are common in psychotic disorders, especially schizophrenia. Religious delusions may also be accompanied by hallucinations of a religious nature. The most common here is the phenomenon of hearing voices which the sufferer may interpret as messages from God or saints.

Signs & Symptoms

• Behavior (paranoia, hallucinations, aggression, etc.)
• Cognition
• Memory Deficit
• Speech Disorder
• Loss of Consciousness
• Movement Disorder
• Seizures
• Autonomic Dysfunction

UPENN: Center for Autoimmune Neurology - Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis