Patients with autoimmune encephalopathies exhibit autoantibodies against neuronal cell surface antigens. The antibodies are directed against glutamate receptors (type NMDA or type AMPA), GABAB receptors, DPPX, voltage-gated potassium channels (VGKC) or VGKC-associated proteins (LGI1, CASPR2, TAG-1/ contactin-2). Since these antigens play a direct or indirect role in synaptic signal transduction, the associated autoimmunities manifest with seizures and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The resulting conditions include special forms of autoimmune limbic encephalitis, neuromyotonia or Morvan’s syndrome. These severe, potentially lethal syndromes can have a non-paraneoplastic or paraneoplastic aetiology. The frequency of underlying tumours ranges from 10 to 70%, depending on the type of antibody. The antibodies most likely play a causal role in the pathogenesis. Since appropriate therapy (immunomodulatory intervention, tumour resection) results in considerable regression of symptoms in most patients, early diagnosis is important for a favourable prognosis.