Research Programs

Neuroinflammatory and Autoimmune Neurology


Penn has been in the lead at developing many autoimmune diseases targeting the nervous system, including anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.  Investigators at Penn have worked to characterize the symptoms of each disease, how the antibodies cause the symptoms, and have developed diagnostic tests for most of these diseases, including autoimmune encephalitis, neuropathy, and paraneoplastic syndromes.  Our Center for Autoimmune Neurology, under the leadership of Dr. Josep Dalmau, conducts cutting edge translational research, and offers advanced autoantibody testing and clinical care for patients with autoimmune encephalitis.

Centers and Programs