1208. MOGcast - Understanding Cortical Encephalitis

This “MOGcast” edition of the “Ask the Expert” podcast series is
a collaborative episode titled, “MOGcast 2: Understanding
Cortical Encephalitis.” Dr. Eoin Flanagan and Dr. Cristina
Valencia Sanchez joined Julia Lefelar of The MOG Project and Dr.
GG deFiebre of SRNA to discuss cortical encephalitis, its
symptoms, and the connection to MOG antibody disease (MOGAD)
[00:04:21]. Audience members asked about the distinction between
ADEM and cerebral cortical encephalitis, their treatments,
diagnostic methods, and long-term impacts [00:35:34]. Dr.
Flanagan and Dr. Sanchez agreed that the preventive treatment
approach remains similar regardless of the MOGAD phenotype
[00:40:36]. The discussion touched on recent studies on the
diagnostic utility of MOG antibody testing in cerebrospinal
fluid, and ongoing research on treatments, including clinical
trials for developing FDA-approved medications for MOGAD
[00:43:05]. Dr. Flanagan and Dr. Sanchez addressed community
questions on fulminant cortical involvement cases [00:50:00], the
long-term effects of Rituximab treatment [00:51:23], anxiety
attacks and mood swings in ADEM [00:53:34], and treatment
decisions based on antibody levels [00:54:49].





Eoin Flanagan, MB, BCh is a Professor of Neurology and Consultant
in the departments of Neurology and Laboratory Medicine and
Pathology at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN). He completed his
medical school training at University College Dublin in Ireland
in 2005. He did a medical residency in Ireland and then completed
neurology residency, fellowships in neuroimmunology and a masters
in clinical and translational science at Mayo Clinic (Rochester,
MN). He works in the Autoimmune Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis
Clinics and the Neuroimmunology Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic.
His clinical expertise and research are focused on inflammatory
myelopathies and their imaging patterns, myelin oligodendrocyte
glycoprotein (MOG) antibody associated disorder, neuromyelitis
optica spectrum disorders, autoimmune encephalitis,
paraneoplastic neurologic disorders, and multiple sclerosis. He
is principal investigator on an NIH RO1 grant studying MOG
antibody associated disorder.





Cristina Valencia Sanchez, MD, PhD is an Assistant Professor of
Neurology and Senior Associate Consultant in the Department of
Neurology at the Mayo Clinic (Phoenix, AZ). She completed her
medical school training and PhD in Neuroscience at the
Universidad Complutense de Madrid. She did a Neurology residency
in the Hospital Universitario Clinico San Carlos and then
completed Neurology residency and fellowships in ARZ Multiple
Sclerosis and RST Autoimmune Neurology at the Mayo School of
Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, in
Arizona and Minnesota.





The research interests of Dr. Valencia Sanchez focus on
autoimmune disorders involving the central nervous system. These
include neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, myelin
oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD),
autoimmune encephalitis, and paraneoplastic neurological
syndromes. She is particularly interested in the neurological
complications of immune checkpoint inhibitor cancer
immunotherapy. The clinical trials that she leads at Mayo Clinic
in Arizona are among the first studies that may lead to approval
of new targeted therapies for MOGAD and autoimmune encephalitis.
Additionally, Dr. Valencia Sanchez’s clinical research allows for
increased recognition of autoimmune neurological disorders. Also,
her work is helping to avoid misdiagnosing autoimmune
encephalitis in the clinical setting. Her research leads to
earlier diagnosis and appropriate treatment to ultimately improve
patient outcomes.