A 48-year-old father of two from California has been left battling seizures and hallucinations after being diagnosed with a rare brain disease called Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. Ryan Alto’s condition began to deteriorate in October 2024, with flu-like symptoms that eventually led to disorientation.
After a week without improvement, his wife Jennifer convinced him to visit the emergency room, where he was diagnosed with the rare disease within hours. The disease causes the body to develop antibodies that attack receptors in the brain, leading to swelling and neurological symptoms such as seizures, hallucinations, and difficulty walking or talking.
Ryan’s condition worsened over the next five days, requiring an airlift to a hospital in San Francisco for treatment. He eventually fell into an eight-week coma but has made significant improvements, including being able to track humans with his eyes, lift his arms, and speak with assistance.
However, Ryan still faces memory issues, hallucinations, and seizures, and the Alto family has faced challenges in finding specialized care due to Ryan’s limited mobility and medical complications. A crowdfunding campaign was launched to help cover treatment costs, and Ryan was eventually accepted into a neurological rehabilitation center in Chicago for further treatment.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14386139/ryan-alto-california-rare-brain-disease.html