The Brain Autoimmunity group aims to understand the role played by autoantibodies in neurological diseases including autoimmune encephalitis, demyelinating syndromes, movement disorders and early-onset psychosis.
Immune-mediated disorders of the brain can present in previously normal children and result in rapid alteration in neurological function. Children can become blind, have disturbed movement and behaviour, memory loss, or severe seizures.
The Brain Autoimmunity group's focus is on identifying the presence of unusual or established autoantibodies in children presenting with these disorders. The presence of antibodies may establish biomarkers of disease for early diagnosis and potential intervention with immune therapies, they may also be the direct cause of diseases, offering avenues for early treatment and improved outcomes.
Working directly with patients and families presenting to The Children's Hospital at Westmead neurology clinics with a range of acute and chronic disorders including encephalitis, Multiple Sclerosis, Chorea, Epilepsy and Tourettes, the Brain Autoimmunity group investigates the biology of neurological and psychiatric diseases.
