Archive · 21 Nov 2025
Autoimmune Disease Robs Man of Memory; Journey to Recovery
A man named Christy Morrill suddenly lost his memory due to a rare disease called autoimmune encephalitis.
Doctors found out that his immune system was attacking his brain.
He went through treatment and now he can do his daily activities, but he still can't remember some important moments from his life.
He writes haikus to help him cope and he leads a support group for other people with the same disease.
He's happy to make new memories with his family.
Christy Morrill, 72, suffered from autoimmune encephalitis, a rare disease where the immune system attacks the brain.
Symptoms included memory loss, confusion, and delusions, appearing suddenly after a bike ride.
Doctors identified LGI1-antibody encephalitis, a type more common in older men, targeting Morrill's memory center.
Treatment involved general inflammation fighters and specialized testing, with Morrill recovering normal daily functioning but some lasting memory loss.
Morrill uses haiku to cope, leads a support group, and finds joy in new memories with family.
- Who
- Christy Morrill
- What
- Suffered from autoimmune encephalitis, a rare disease causing memory loss and confusion
- When
- Symptoms appeared suddenly after a bike ride, with diagnosis and treatment following months later
- Where
- California, USA
- Why
- Due to his immune system attacking his brain
Patients' Perspective
Medical Perspective
Memory Loss
Patients' Perspective
Devastating and life-changing
Medical Perspective
Treatable with early diagnosis and care
- Disease
- Autoimmune Encephalitis
- Type
- LGI1-antibody encephalitis
- Age Onset
- Mostly affects older adults
- Treatment
- General inflammation fighters, specialized testing
- Recovery
- Recovered normal daily functioning with some lasting memory loss
