Tma Ask The Expert Podcast Series

In this SRNA “Ask the Expert” episode, Krissy Dilger of SRNA spoke with neuroimmunologist Dr. Shailee Shah about paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes—immune-mediated, “off-target” effects of cancer that can affect the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves. Dr. Shah described updated diagnostic criteria and scoring that combine neurologic phenotypes, cancer risk, and high-risk autoantibodies, and she explained how immune checkpoint inhibitors can trigger immune-related neurologic adverse events that don’t always fit classic rules [00:01:48]. She reviewed how these syndromes differ from other autoimmune neurologic disorders and outlined common subacute presentations such as limbic encephalitis, brainstem encephalitis, cerebellar ataxia, seizures, and neuropathies [00:08:09]. Dr. Shah emphasized prompt evaluation with neurologic exam, MRI/EEG/EMG as appropriate, blood and CSF antibody testing, cancer screening, and coordinated oncologic and immunosuppressive treatment to prevent worsening disability [00:17:24]