Sarosh Irani

Research Summary

I am a consultant neurologist and clinician-scientist with clinical and laboratory experiences in the field of autoantibody mediated diseases of the nervous system, in particular the central nervous system. I care for patients with these disorders and run a research group to learn more about the origins and treatments of these diseases. I welcome referrals of patients with possible autoimmune neurological conditions.

I have studied the antigenic targets of autoantibodies in patients with encephalitis and epilepsies. In particular, my research has focused on LGI1, CASPR2 and the NMDA-receptor. In addition, I have been involved with projects examining autoantibodies against the GABA_A-receptor, glycine receptors and aquaporin-4.

Along with colleagues, I have looked after and met multiple patients with these disorders, phenotypes >150 patients in great detail, and characterised their clinical responses to therapies. These findings have generated, often distinctive, clinical features which correlate well with a high likelihood of an immunotherapy-responsive condition. They have also identified novel clinical descriptions of patients with cognitive, movement and seizure disorders, in particular faciobrachial dystonic seizures - a novel autoimmune epilepsy syndrome which often responds better to immunotherapies than conventional anti-epileptic drugs.

I run a research group combining ~15 talented clinicians, clinician-scientists and basic scientists with the aim of better understanding the causes and potential treatments of this condition. In particular, we study the role of B cell subsets in propagating autoantibody responses. We are funded by the Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council, British Medical Association, Association of British Neurologists and industry partners.