Maria Isabel Leite
Associate Professor
- Honorary Consultant Neurologist
Autoimmune neurology, malignancy and infections
I am a senior clinical research fellow and honorary consultant neurologist with clinical and laboratory experiences in the field of autoantibody mediated diseases of the nervous system. In particular, my focus is on patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) associated with AQP4 antibodies, MOG antibody-mediated demyelinating disease, autoimmune encephalitis (AE) associated with antibodies to NMDA-receptor, Lgi1, Caspr2 or GABA-receptors, Glycine receptor antibody mediated syndromes, particularly PERM, and myasthenia gravis (MG) associated with AChR or MuSK antibodies.
My work includes identification of antibody associated disease phenotypes, the clinical response to treatments, and outcome correlates. I have a specific interest in the understanding the interaction between pregnancy, antibody mediated diseases and treatments in order to improve patient care. In addition I am trying to understand how autoimmunization occurs in our patients and the biological relationship between autoimmune diseases that can occur in individuals (e.g. MG and NMO).
I aim to dedicate more clinical and research time to antibody mediated neuroimmunology in older adults (e.g. ≥ 60 years of age). These diseases affect older people who often have co-morbidities, they can be difficult to diagnose and are more challenging to treat because of the lack of research on the effect of immunosuppressive agents on older people and the complications associated with a declining immune system.
Recent publications
-
MOG-IgA as a Potential Marker of Germinal Center Activity.
Journal article
Handel AE. et al, (2024), JAMA Neurol, 81
-
The effect of smoking on MRI lesion resolution in NMOSD-AQP4 and MOGAD.
Journal article
Berhanu D. et al, (2023), Mult Scler
-
Do Early Relapses Predict the Risk of Long-Term Relapsing Disease in an Adult and Paediatric Cohort with MOGAD?
Journal article
Chen B. et al, (2023), Ann Neurol
-
A systematic literature review to examine the considerations around pregnancy in women of child-bearing age with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) or aquaporin 4 neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4+ NMOSD).
Journal article
Leite MI. et al, (2023), Mult Scler Relat Disord, 75
-
Safety and efficacy of zilucoplan in patients with generalised myasthenia gravis (RAISE): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study
Journal article
Howard JF. et al, (2023), The Lancet Neurology, 22, 395 - 406