Software developer Andrew Gallant reports significant recovery after anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis diagnosis

Software developer Andrew Gallant has been diagnosed with anti-NMDa receptor encephalitis, an autoimmune disorder where the body’s antibodies attack healthy brain cells, leading to inflammation. Gallant, 38, initially presented with flu-like symptoms, severe anxiety, psychosis, and balance issues, resulting in a misdiagnosis of a psychiatric condition and subsequent hospitalisation. Following a transfer to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, he received treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and steroids. The diagnosis was confirmed via a positive antibody test in his cerebral spinal fluid. Gallant is currently tapering off medications and participating in the CIELO clinical trial for satralizumab, reporting a positive prognosis and significant recovery.

Gallant’s symptoms began with heart racing, night sweats, chills, and insomnia, accompanied by severe anxiety and panic attacks that he had never experienced before. Over several weeks, his condition progressed to include chronic jaw pain, balance issues, suicidal ideation, delusions, and auditory hallucinations. These psychological symptoms, combined with physical instability, led to a fall and head injury, prompting his first emergency room visit. He was cleared physically but admitted to an in-patient psychiatric hospital, where he was initially misdiagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder or schizophrenia.

The turning point came when a connection with a doctor facilitated his transfer to the neurology department at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. There, he underwent extensive testing, including MRIs, lumbar punctures, and EEGs. Treatment with IVIG and methylprednisolone commenced quickly, even before the official diagnosis was confirmed by a positive antibody test in his cerebral spinal fluid, which typically takes weeks to return. Gallant noted that the treatment protocol was life-saving, with significant improvement observed before the formal diagnosis was received.

Currently, Gallant is tapering off steroids and medications previously prescribed for his psychological symptoms. He has entered the CIELO clinical trial for satralizumab, a drug being tested for its effectiveness in treating anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. While autoimmune disorders generally lack a known cure, the prognosis for this specific condition is considered very good, particularly when caught early. Gallant’s doctors stated that his early intervention is associated with better long-term outcomes, and he reports feeling great with recovery exceeding his expectations.

Gallant expressed gratitude to his wife, Kaitlyn Brady, for her unwavering support and advocacy, and to his employer, Charlie Marsh, for his understanding and patience during his illness. He also referenced Susannah Cahalan’s book Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness, which details a similar experience with the disease, and noted that a movie adaptation is available as of June 2026. Gallant, who had been inactive due to his condition, is now returning to his work with renewed vigor, highlighting the stark contrast between his current state and his experience just two months prior.