Autoimmune Encephalitis Program
Autoimmune encephalitis is a disease in which immune cells target particular areas of the brain to cause neurologic and psychiatric symptoms. While the symptoms vary, the experience of isolation is often uniform as individuals search for providers familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
The Yale Autoimmune Encephalitis Program brings together a team skilled in neuroimmunology, psychiatry, molecular biology, and allied specialties to provide patient-centered, cutting-edge treatment. Located within the Yale Interventional Neuroimmunology Center, the program offers immunotherapies and symptomatic treatments, and partners with physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians to assist in the rehabilitation that is often required following autoimmune encephalitis.
In addition, the program connects patients with a robust network of scientists to advance the treatment, diagnosis, and biologic understanding of the disease.
Our Approach
We believe that care for individuals with autoimmune encephalitis begins at symptom onset and continues through the chronic phases of the disease. Early in the course of the disease, patients may require more extensive immunotherapy. However, as the disease progresses, a patient’s needs may shift to managing more long-standing neurologic and psychiatric manifestations.
At the Yale Autoimmune Encephalitis Program, we guide our patients through illness from the initial diagnosis and treatment to long-term management. As the field evolves, we are committed to advancing our understanding of the disease and improving treatments for our patients. We work closely with a network of scientists and physicians to fuel discovery and advance therapeutics.
Our Team
Led by Tova Gardin, MD, MPP, a neuroimmunologist experienced in neurologic and psychiatric disease, the Autoimmune Encephalitis Program brings together clinicians, scientists, and allied specialties to provide holistic, person-centered care and to drive forward groundbreaking discoveries that serve our patients.