Autoimmune encephalitis often begins with psychiatric, cognitive, seizure or movement symptoms that can mimic infection or primary psychiatric disease. A 2024 consensus statement from the Brazilian Academy of Neurology provides practical recommendations for diagnosis and treatment in adults and children. The panel recommends considering autoimmune encephalitis in compatible clinical presentations and using both tissue-based and cell-based antibody testing in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. In children, MOG antibodies may also be relevant. The consensus emphasises beginning immunotherapy early once the clinical criteria are met rather than waiting indefinitely for every laboratory result. First-line treatment generally combines high-dose corticosteroids with IVIG or plasmapheresis, while rituximab or cyclophosphamide are options for inadequate response. The document also highlights the importance of functional and cognitive follow-up. For HCPs, the central message is to avoid delayed treatment in a potentially reversible inflammatory encephalopathy. Because antibody results can be negative or delayed, clinical judgement remains crucial. This framework is directly relevant to IANCON's emphasis on autoimmune encephalitis, imaging, neurobehavioral presentations and immunotherapy.