Association of serum Gasdermin D with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Gasdermin D (GSDMD) is associated with autoimmune disorders and neuroinflammatory disorders, but its role in anti-NMDAR encephalitis is unclear. In this study, we measured serum levels of GSDMD in 42 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and 25 healthy controls. Of the 42 patients, 17 had follow-up evaluation of GSDMD levels and modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores at 3 months. Association of GSDMD with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and its clinical parameters were evaluated. Serum GSDMD levels were significantly higher in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis than in healthy controls (p = 0.002, padjusted = 0.009), especially in males (p = 0.001, padjusted = 0.022). This was also evident in patients with severe impairment (mRS >3 vs mRS ≤3; p