Being diagnosed with dementia is catastrophic for patients and their families.



Erosion of cognition, unusual behavioral changes, challenges with routine daily activities - can all be very stressful for the family and the designated caregiver. 

Often, the patient will have had several consultations with neurologists and repeat imaging that confirmed the diagnosis of neurodegenerative dementia. While no treatment is available or offered.

Recently we saw a patient, Bryon, who had all the signs of dementia. His family members were told that he was untreatable.

The family retained RCM Health to assist, and they were very surprised to learn that there is one form of dementia that is highly treatable: an autoimmune dementia.

There are over 80 types of autoimmune disease. Some of the variants will attack the brain or nervous system. Often these diseases are not recognized by the attending doctor and go untreated.

Families should be aware of the presence of autoimmune dementia because it is in fact treatable.

Melanie was a well-rounded, high-performing 48-year-old lawyer. She presented with delusions and was actively psychotic. She had no past or family history of psychosis. This was entirely out of character for her. 

She was admitted to the hospital. She was found to, coincidentally, have an unusual ovarian tumor called a teratoma. The teratoma was surgically removed. However, her psychosis persisted and she refused any form of treatment for the psychosis.

The family retained RCM Health to assist. 

The treating doctors had suspected an autoimmune encephalitis. Teratoma, which is rare, is sometimes associated with autoimmune encephalitis. She was tested for the NMDA autoantibodies and was positive. She still refused treatment.

One of the doctors at RCM Health did a house call and brought along almost 75 pages of research supporting her being treated. She finally agreed to be treated. 

She received high dose steroids and PLEX. The PLEX removed the autoantibodies from her blood stream. She improved. And returned to her life, being the brilliant lawyer that she had been. Her mother wrote a very nice thank you note to the team at RCM Health. 

Autoimmune neurologic diseases should be considered in evaluating treatment options for neurologic diseases.

It is also recognized that the COVID-19 virus and the COVID-19 vaccine can both trigger autoimmune diseases.

With over 80 types of autoimmune disease, it is important for patients and their doctors to keep autoimmune diseases top of mind.

Most importantly, these diseases are very treatable with antibody-depleting agents. 

To learn more about RCM services:

647-350-5500

info@rcmhealth.ca

Raymond Rupert  

CEO  

RCM Health Consultancy Inc.

www.rcmhealth.ca