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Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy

Meaning

Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy (HE) is recognized as a rare, often steroid-responsive neurological disorder characterized by a wide range of neurological and psychiatric symptoms occurring in patients diagnosed with autoimmune thyroiditis, most commonly Hashimoto’s disease. Although frequently associated with high levels of anti-thyroid antibodies, the symptoms are primarily thought to result from an underlying autoimmune or inflammatory process directly affecting the central nervous system itself, rather than solely from systemic thyroid hormone levels. The clinical presentation is highly variable, potentially including cognitive impairment, recurrent seizures, or acute psychosis.