Understanding Autoimmune Encephalopathy
Autoimmune encephalopathy is a complex condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain and nervous system, leading to inflammation that disrupts normal neurological function. This autoimmune reaction can cause a wide range of symptoms that may appear suddenly or develop gradually over time.
Common signs include brain fog, short-term memory loss, mood swings, tics, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and even changes in personality or behavior. Some patients experience sudden regression in learning, speech, or motor coordination, while others notice persistent fatigue, sleep disruption, or emotional instability.
Unfortunately, these symptoms are often misdiagnosed as purely psychiatric or behavioral, especially in children and young adults. Many patients are told they have anxiety, depression, ADHD, or another neuropsychiatric disorder when the true problem lies in underlying inflammation of the brain.
Early identification and treatment are essential. When autoimmune brain inflammation goes unrecognized, it can progress and cause lasting neurological damage. However, with the right diagnostic testing and a comprehensive, integrative treatment plan, recovery is absolutely possible.
At Restorative Medicine Center near Birmingham, MI, we specialize in uncovering and treating the root causes of autoimmune brain inflammation, helping patients of all ages regain clarity, balance, and quality of life.
Causes and Triggers of Autoimmune Encephalopathy
Autoimmune encephalopathy occurs when the immune system becomes dysregulated and begins attacking the brain’s own tissues. This immune confusion—known as neuroinflammation—can be triggered by infections, toxins, or chronic stress that overwhelm the body’s ability to regulate itself. Over time, this leads to misfiring immune signals that target neurons instead of pathogens.
Infection-Triggered Causes
- PANS/PANDAS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome)
In some children and adolescents, infections such as strep throat, mycoplasma, or viral illnesses can trigger a sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive behaviors, anxiety, or tics. This autoimmune reaction is called PANS (or PANDAS when associated specifically with strep infection). Prompt diagnosis and treatment can dramatically improve symptoms and prevent long-term brain inflammation. - Tick-Borne Diseases (Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia)
These vector-borne infections can silently infiltrate the body and persist for years, producing neurotoxins that inflame the brain and nervous system. Many patients experience cycles of cognitive decline, irritability, pain, and neurological symptoms without realizing an infection is the underlying cause. Comprehensive testing for Lyme and its co-infections is often essential for accurate diagnosis. - Viral or Mycoplasma Infections
Viruses such as Epstein-Barr, HHV-6, or Mycoplasma pneumoniae can reactivate and confuse the immune system, setting off a chain reaction of inflammation that affects the brain. These infections often coexist with other triggers like mold or toxins, creating a “perfect storm” of immune dysfunction.
Environmental and Metabolic Triggers
- Mold and Mycotoxin Exposure
Exposure to toxic indoor molds and their byproducts (mycotoxins) is a major and often overlooked cause of chronic neuroinflammation. These toxins can impair detoxification pathways, inflame brain tissue, and weaken the immune system’s ability to distinguish friend from foe. - Heavy Metals and Chemical Toxins
Mercury, lead, pesticides, and other environmental toxins accumulate in tissues over time and interfere with mitochondrial function, hormone signaling, and immune regulation. This toxic load amplifies inflammation and contributes to cognitive decline. - Nutrient Deficiencies and Poor Detox Capacity
When the liver and cellular detox systems are sluggish, toxins and inflammatory byproducts accumulate. Deficiencies in key nutrients—such as vitamins D, B12, and antioxidants—can further impair the body’s ability to calm inflammation and repair brain tissue.
The Role of Stress and Trauma
Finally, chronic stress and unresolved trauma profoundly affect immune and neurological function. When the body remains in a “fight-or-flight” state, inflammatory pathways stay activated. Over time, this leads to heightened immune reactivity, hormone imbalance, and worsening brain inflammation. Supporting nervous system regulation through breathwork, sleep restoration, and emotional healing is an essential part of recovery.
The Root Cause Approach at Restorative Medicine Center
At the Restorative Medicine Center near Birmingham, MI, Dr. Teresa Birkmeier-Fredal uses a distinctive framework known as the Root Cause Triad to identify and treat the underlying drivers of autoimmune encephalopathy.
1. Microbes
Infections are often the first trigger for autoimmune brain inflammation. Whether from Lyme disease, Bartonella, Babesia, Mycoplasma, or viral reactivation, these stealth microbes can quietly persist and continuously stimulate the immune system. Through advanced infection panels and clinical assessment, we identify which organisms are contributing to your immune dysregulation and develop targeted strategies for eradication and immune balance.
2. Toxins
Environmental and biological toxins—including mold, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and industrial pollutants—can keep the immune system locked in a chronic inflammatory state. These substances interfere with detoxification, hormone function, and energy production. We use laboratory testing to measure toxic load and guide safe, evidence-informed detoxification strategies, such as nutrient repletion, binders, sauna therapy, and hydration support.
3. Stress Response
Emotional, physical, or environmental stress can amplify inflammation through the body’s fight-or-flight pathways. When the nervous system stays “on alert,” the immune system follows suit, worsening neuroinflammation. Restoring balance through neural retraining, breathwork, restorative sleep, and stress reduction is essential for lasting recovery.
Comprehensive Evaluation Process
To pinpoint the exact drivers of your inflammation, Dr. Birkmeier-Fredal performs an in-depth, individualized evaluation that may include:
- Advanced immune and inflammatory biomarker testing, including VEGF, TGFB1, C4a, MMP-9, and specific autoantibodies associated with autoimmune brain disorders.
- Functional brain and hormone assessments to evaluate how inflammation affects cognition, mood, and metabolic balance.
- Infection and toxin panels to detect Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia, Mycoplasma, and mold exposure that standard tests often miss.
Functional & Integrative Treatment Options
At the Restorative Medicine Center near Birmingham, MI, treatment for autoimmune encephalopathy focuses on more than symptom relief—it’s about retraining and restoring the body’s natural balance. By using an integrative, evidence-informed approach, we address the root causes of neuroinflammation while supporting each patient’s unique capacity to heal.
Immune Modulation & Anti-Inflammatory Support
When the immune system becomes overactive, the brain is often the first organ to suffer. Reducing inflammation safely—without suppressing healthy immune function—is critical for recovery.
Dr. Birkmeier-Fredal uses targeted, immune-modulating therapies designed to bring the immune system back into balance. These include:
- Nutrient repletion to correct deficiencies that drive inflammation, including vitamin D optimization, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential antioxidants.
- Glutathione and curcumin to reduce oxidative stress and support detoxification of inflammatory byproducts.
- Adaptogenic and botanical therapies (such as ashwagandha, holy basil, and resveratrol) that help stabilize the immune system while improving stress tolerance and resilience.
Infection & Toxin Eradication
For many patients, lingering infections or toxic exposures keep the immune system in a constant state of alarm. Identifying and addressing these hidden triggers is often the key to lasting healing.
Our infection and detoxification protocols are designed to reduce microbial load and remove environmental toxins without overwhelming the body. This may include:
- Targeted antimicrobial therapies for Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia, Mycoplasma, and other stealth pathogens.
- Binder support (activated charcoal, bentonite clay, or cholestyramine) to capture and eliminate biotoxins from the digestive tract.
- Far infrared sauna therapy and red light therapy to promote cellular detoxification, circulation, and oxygen delivery to brain tissue.
- Hydration and mineral replenishment to assist the kidneys and lymphatic system in flushing toxins.
- Mold and environmental toxin evaluation for patients exposed to water-damaged buildings or high chemical loads.
Hormone and Mitochondrial Repair
Chronic neuroinflammation often disrupts hormone signaling and depletes mitochondrial energy—the two systems your brain depends on for repair and resilience.
Dr. Birkmeier-Fredal’s protocols include therapies to rebalance hormones and restore mitochondrial function, helping the brain recover from the inside out:
- Correcting hormone resistance caused by inflammation, particularly in thyroid, adrenal, and reproductive pathways.
- Supporting adrenal recovery through gentle adaptogens and circadian rhythm alignment.
- Enhancing mitochondrial repair with key nutrients such as CoQ10, acetyl-L-carnitine, and methylene blue to improve cellular energy output.
- Using antioxidant therapies like alpha-lipoic acid and NAD+ support to reduce oxidative stress and improve brain cell metabolism.
Nervous System Regulation
The nervous system and immune system are intimately connected—when one is overactivated, the other follows. Calming the fight-or-flight response is essential to breaking the inflammatory cycle and restoring brain health.
At Restorative Medicine Center, we help patients retrain their nervous systems to move from constant alertness to a state of safety and healing. This includes:
- Limbic system retraining programs to interrupt chronic stress and trauma loops that perpetuate inflammation.
- Breathwork and mindfulness techniques to regulate the vagus nerve and improve autonomic balance.
- Sleep restoration strategies, such as circadian rhythm support, nighttime light hygiene, and nutritional sleep aids.
- Integrative mind-body therapies—including gratitude practice, gentle movement, and neurofeedback—to rebuild emotional stability and enhance cognitive recovery.
Start Healing Your Brain from the Inside Out
If you or your child are struggling with brain fog, mood changes, or unexplained neurological symptoms, don’t settle for being told “it’s all in your head.”
Autoimmune encephalopathy is real—and treatable.
At the Restorative Medicine Center, we take the time to dig deeper—uncovering the immune, infectious, and environmental triggers that are driving your symptoms. Our goal is to help you restore balance to your brain and body, so that healing can begin from the inside out.
Healing begins when you address the why—and that’s exactly where our work starts.
Contact Us
📍 Restorative Medicine Center
705 Barclay Cir #115
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
📞 Phone: 248.289.6349
📠 Fax: 248-289-6923
🌐 Website: www.restorativemedcenter.com