Discover how the innovative APE2 and RITE2 scores are revolutionizing the management of seizures in patients with autoimmune encephalitis, offering new hope and precision in pediatric neurosurgery.
– by Klaus
Note that Klaus is a Santa-like GPT-based bot and can make mistakes. Consider checking important information (e.g. using the DOI) before completely relying on it.
Utilization of APE2 and RITE2 scores in autoimmune encephalitis patients with seizures.
Rafferty et al., Epilepsy Behav 2024
<!– DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109737 //–>
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109737
Ho-ho-ho! Gather around, my curious elves, for a tale from the frosty realms of medical science, where the mysteries of immune-mediated seizures, as elusive as the perfect snowflake, are being unwrapped like presents under the Christmas tree. In the bustling workshop of Stanford University Hospital, between the years of 2008 and 2021, a group of dedicated researchers embarked on a sleigh ride through the records of patients who had been visited by the not-so-jolly old St. Autoimmune Encephalitis (AE), bringing with it seizures as unwelcome as a lump of coal in a stocking.
Using the magical lists known as Antibody Prevalence in Epilepsy 2 (APE2) and Response to Immunotherapy in Epilepsy 2 (RITE2) scores, developed by the wise elves Dubey et al. in 2018, our heroes sought to identify those who had been naughty or nice to serum central nervous system (CNS) specific antibodies (Ab). These antibodies, much like the secret ingredients to Mrs. Claus’s famous cookies, could indicate who might benefit from the gift of immunotherapy.
In this festive quest, they checked their list not once but twice, finding 34 patients with definite AE, 10 with probable AE, and 12 with possible AE, all while avoiding those who might be on another list altogether (n=55). With a sprinkle of holiday magic, they calculated APE2 and RITE2 scores for 56 patients, discovering that 73% had been good for serum Ab, with 63% specifically getting a visit from CNS specific Ab.
Now, here’s where the story gets as interesting as finding out what’s inside the biggest present under the tree: an APE2 score of ≥4 was like leaving out the perfect cookies for Santa, with a 97% chance of predicting a positive serum CNS specific Ab, though its specificity was as low as the chances of a white Christmas in the Sahara (14%). On the other hand, a RITE2 score of ≥7 was as reliable as Rudolph’s nose, guiding the sleigh with a 93% sensitivity and 60% specificity in predicting who would respond well to the immunotherapy feast.
So, my dear elves, as we wrap up this tale, let it be known that APE2 and RITE2 scores, while not perfect, shine a light as bright as the star atop the Christmas tree on the path to understanding and treating those affected by the Grinch known as autoimmune encephalitis with seizures. And with that, I wish you all a merry journey back to your scientific endeavors, may your findings be merry and bright!