<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is a rare disease that occurs when antibodies produced by the body’s own immune system attack the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brain (Dalmau, <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="j_ajon-2017-014_ref_002">2016</xref>). For a relatively rare condition, one academic hospital in an urban centre noted four cases of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis in one single year. Patients develop a multistage condition that progresses from psychosis, memory deficits, seizures, respiratory difficulties, abnormal catatonic movements and language disintegration into a state of unresponsiveness (Dalmau, Lancaster, Hernandez, Rosenfeld and Gordon, <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="j_ajon-2017-014_ref_003">2011</xref>).This case study will focus on the pathologies and medical journeys of three female patients diagnosed with anti-N-NMDA receptor encephalitis at this hospital. This paper will discuss the presentations of each of the cases and the individualized nursing care plans developed to address the needs of this patient population. More specifically, it will highlight the importance of ensuring patient and staff safety in the development of these care plans. The need for implementing ongoing evaluations of these nursing care plans to address the developing needs of patients as they proceed through the diverse and complex phases of the condition will also be discussed.</abstract>

The Brain on Fire: A Case Study on Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Delirium is defined as a mental disorder characterized by an abnormal state of cognition and awareness. Delirium is associated with an annual cost of $350 billion between the United States and Europe. Approximately 80% of delirium cases are either not identified or misdiagnosed. Older adults have the highest incidence due to the consequences of aging. Hypoactive delirium or “quite delirium” is the most common delirium subtype experienced by older adults.Hypoactive delirium, is difficult to recognize and has worse outcomes than other subtypes. If detected, symptoms of hypoactive delirium are frequently dismissed as depression or dementia. Therefore, nurses need heightened vigilance in assessment and identification of hypoactive delirium. This article seeks to assist nurses in identifying hypoactive delirium by outlining factors that increase an individual’s potential for developing hypoactive delirium.</abstract>

Considering Causes for Hypoactive Delirium

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Australasian Journal of Neuroscience

Australasian Journal of Neuroscience (AJoN) Journal Scope and Aims  Published bi-annually (May and October), the Australasian Journal of Neuroscience (AJoN), the official journal of the Australasian Neuroscience Nurses Association (ANNA), has published original peer reviewed articles since 1988 making it one of the longest standing neuroscience nursing journals.  The AJoN is an international peer reviewed open access journal that aims to promote the development and exchange of knowledge that reflects the broad and emerging interests of neuroscience nursing and the neuroscience nursing profession. The AJoN is at the forefront of disseminating and communicating knowledge and through the promotion of clinically related scholarship, the AJoN supports and advances the practice and discipline of neuroscience nursing.  The mission of the AJoN is to further the neuroscience nursing profession through representation and the provision of works that best represent neuroscience nursing expertise and experience. Through this provision evidence is translated into neuroscience nursing practice to improve health outcomes for individuals, families, and populations.  Fields of nursing represented in the AJoN include, but are not limited to, neurology, movement disorders, neurosurgical, neuro-intensive, neuro-rehabilitative, neuropsychiatry, neuro-gerontology, neuro-paediatric, neuro-emergency and neuro-trauma. Contributions are also welcome from other healthcare fields on issues and developments that have a direct impact on neuroscience nursing practice.  The AJoN welcomes manuscripts from both new and experienced authors wishing to contribute neuroscience knowledge to nursing practice and research. Both National and International submissions are welcome, with the AJoN supporting the exchange of ideas and experience that represents different practices and cultures.  Submitted original articles should make a novel contribution to neuroscience nursing with examples including advances in neurosurgical and neurological nursing, patient care, complex care interventions, research, policy, professional issues, and theory. Submissions must be of a high quality and the journal accepts various article types including (but not limited to) review articles, systematic reports, case series, case studies, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research articles, practice updates, guest editorials, clinical trials, quality improvement articles, letters to the editor, commentaries, and the development of new guidelines that provide a unique insight into the field of neuroscience nursing. The journal’s purpose is to advance the field of neuroscience nursing by presenting published works with an emphasis on knowledge that will influence the way neuroscience nursing is practiced, taught, researched, and administrated. This information is applicable to nurses working in clinical, administrative, educational,  leadership and research settings. Each issues contains a variety of papers, commentaries and published works resulting from the National ANNA conference. The target audience of the AJoN includes nurses, student nurses, nurse practitioners, managers, executives, administrators, educators, and higher research degree students as well as allied health professionals.  Topics relevant to the AJoN include the development of clinical research and knowledge, evidenced based practice, leadership, and scientific enquiry. Works that explore the patient and family experience, illness, and recovery within the neuroscience field. Organisational factors including governance, patient safety, role development and models of service delivery. As well as cultural comparisons and evaluations of neuroscience nursing practice across different healthcare sectors, social and geographical settings.  The AJoN offers authors the benefits of a highly respected journal in the field of neuroscience nursing, indexed in a wide range of databases including (EBSCO, Elsevier, MIAR, MtScienceWork, ReadCube, SCILIT and Semantic Scholar). The journal has a truly global readership, rapid manuscript screening and efficient editorial processes. The journal also offers a highly visual format, with full colour figures, images, and tables.  The AJoN Editor is advised and supported by a Board of Reviewers that represent all facets of neuroscience nursing. Submitted papers are reviewed by Reviewers who meet a high standard of academic and clinical expertise. The AJoN will ensure that practice and policy development is evidenced based, research is informed at an advanced level and that readers are challenged to engage in critical debate and critically reflect on the interface between practice, policy, and research. The AJoN team believes that every neuroscience nurse should have the opportunity to grow and develop their practice and career through quality education and professional development. The AJoN is essential reading for anyone with an interest in neuroscience nursing.   Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 

Australasian Journal of Neuroscience

Volume 29 (2019): Issue 1 (May 2019)

The Brain on Fire: A Case Study on Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis

Considering Causes for Hypoactive Delirium

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