What happens if your immune system attacks your brain?

Autoimmune encephalitis is when your immune system begins to rampage against your own brain. It’s one of the most inexplicable forms of autoimmune disease that can result in bizarre and unusual symptoms.

"Families will describe changes in personality, erratic behavior," said Dr. Sam Horng a neurologist at Mount Sinai Health System.

Many people can recover with prompt treatment but some experience lasting complications.

"The symptoms sort of get at deep mysterious black box facets of what makes us, us," Horng said.

There are several types of autoimmune encephalitis, and the type of rogue antibody that rampages through patients’ brains helps explain symptoms and their lasting damage.

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