At the 2020 Olympic Games (held in Tokyo in 2021), British rugby sevens player Abi Burton gave it her all. Coming from a rugby background, Burton wanted to ensure that she came away with a win. While she missed out on a bronze medal, she knew that there was still a chance for gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2022. But, shares The Mirror, Burton’s dreams were cut short as she faced an unexpected battle with autoimmune encephalitis.
Initially, Burton began noticing behavioral changes. She found herself growing increasingly aggressive. Her bouts of anger led her to lash out, sometimes physically, to the point where she broke various banisters in her home. She no longer wanted to spend time with families and friends, becoming increasingly withdrawn. Burton faced a slew of misdiagnoses: anxiety and depression, bipolar disorder, and even schizophrenia. It got to the point where doctors told her parents that Burton was having psychosis and that she had to be institutionalized.
When the seizures began, Burton’s mother knew that something wasn’t right. As Burton found herself in a psychiatric hospital, her mother became a fierce advocate. Three weeks later, due to Burton’s symptoms, a doctor suggested that she might have autoimmune encephalitis. Further specialist testing confirmed the diagnosis. Burton was placed into a medically-induced coma, during which time she battled pneumonia twice, to attempt plasma exchange treatment.
It took three months—but Burton came out of the coma and recovered. She has began to rebuild her strength and hopes to compete at the next Olympics.
What is Autoimmune Encephalitis?
The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) defines autoimmune encephalitis as:
“a group of conditions that occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy brain cells, leading to inflammation of the brain.”
Autoimmune encephalitis may be progressive, or may cause periods of symptoms and periods of remission. Regardless, it is important to pursue treatment as soon as possible. Without treatment, this condition can cause coma, brain damage, or (in rare cases) death. Autoimmune encephalitis is more common in females than males. Symptoms may include:
- Vision loss
- Weakness of the arms and legs
- Loss of ability to speak
- Aggression, anxiety, or impulsivity
- Compulsive behaviors
- Sleep disruptions
- Abnormal movements
- Impaired memory and cognition
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Problems with balance and coordination
- Seizures
Treatments include surgery, plasma exchange, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), immunosuppressants, and steroids.
