The most common forms of autoimmune encephalitis frequently present with psychiatry and cognitive features. The disease is highly treatable with immunotherapy delivered in a timely fashion, thus clinical recognition, appropriate testing, and referral is paramount. But as a rapidly-evolving research field, how to approach this condition has sometimes been confusing for psychiatrists. There are risks of both under- and over-investigation and so clarity is needed. However guidelines either tend to be focused on neurological settings or are not focussed on the needs of specific healthcare systems including the mental health system.
Our working group comprises psychiatrists, neurologists, emergency physicians, and importantly people with lived experience and advocates. Over the past 3 years, we have surveyed the field and synthesised evidence to offer guidance relating to the diagnosis and management of autoimmune encephalitis for psychiatrists and the mental health system in a UK setting.
In this session we will present a summary of our guidance and thoughts on implementation. Following on from our 2024 presentation, this 2026 session will present an executive summary. We anticiapte this session, like in 2024, to be very well attended and thought provoking. It will be of value across psychiatric specialities including early intervention in psychosis, general adult, older adult, and liaison/neuropsychiatry.
Learning objectives
This webinar aims to help you to get a better understanding of:
• The epidemiology and pathophysiology of autoimmune encephalitis
• The role of autoantibody and other supporting tests
• System factors in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune encephalitis
• Our recommendations and a view towards implementation.
Speakers
Chair: Dr David Okai, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London
Dr David Okai, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London
Dr Adam Al-Diwani, University of Oxford, Oxford
Dr Sophie Binks, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford
Dr Ava Easton, Encephalitis International, London
Funding
RCPsych International Congress is financially supported by the purchase of exhibition stand packages. A full list of confirmed exhibitors can be found here: Exhibiting Organisations at International Congress 2026
Availability
This webinar is part of the Congress webinar 2026 package. If you attended all four days of Congress, you will have access to these as part of your Congress package. Otherwise the Congress webinar 2026 package can be purchased below.
