NMDA

Description: 
NMDA receptor antibodies are directed against the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor complex, which can be detected in serum and/or CSF samples of patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. NMDA receptor antibodies can be utilised as a diagnostic assay for autoimmune encephalitis. Diagnosing autoimmune encephalitis should be made considering the overall clinical picture of the patient, including information obtained from brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Electroencephalograms (EEG) and analysis of CSF.
Clinical details: 
Patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis usually develop a multistage illness, which initially presents with headache, fever, nausea and other flu-like symptoms. This is followed by psychiatric symptoms, which can involve behavioural/personality changes, disturbed thoughts, mania, delusions, short term memory loss and hallucinations.
Reference range: 

NMDA receptor antibodies should be reported as either POSITIVE or NEGATIVE. 

Synonyms or keywords: 
NMDA / NMDC
Department: 
Diagnostic Immunology and Allergy Department
Location: 
Blackfriars Hub
Sample type and Volume required: 
YELLOW SERUM (SST)
Call in advance: 
No
Turnaround time: 
7 days
Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Time limit for extra tests: 
10 days
Contacts:
Diagnostic Immunology and Allergy Department at King's College Hospital
General Enquiry : 020 3299 8752 / 020 3299 1171
King's College Hospital
Bessemer Wing - 1st Floor
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RS
For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Diagnostic Immunology Laboratory at Blackfriars Hub

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Last updated: 01/05/2026