Other types

Encephalitis Lethargica

Encephalitis lethargica (EL) is a serious and rare form of encephalitis. The neurologist Oliver Sacks described the ‘awakenings’ of past cases, but recent papers have described contemporary cases and defined the disease in modern terms. Read more

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the brain

HIV can affect the brain in different ways: HIV-meningoencephalitis, HIV-encephalopathy (HIV-associated dementia) and mild neurocognitive disorder. Read more

Subacute sclerosing pan-encephalitis (SSPE)

SSPE is a very rare type of encephalitis which can follow natural measles virus infection. Unfortunately, SSPE is a progressive form of encephalitis without a cure. Read more

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An interview with Dr Ava Easton - podcast

Dr Ava Easton is put under the microscope by our Ambassador Simon Hattenstone, features writer at the Guardian.

Win a Cookalong with Rebecca Adlington

Win the chance to join Rebecca Adlington for an exclusive Cookalong on Wednesday, July 8, - all in support of the Encephalitis Society

Living and working in a pandemic world - Podcast

Dr Nicholas Davies, consultant neurologist and the Chair of the Encephalitis Society's Scientific Advisory Panel, talks about his day-to-day life working and living during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Evaluating Brief Behavioural Activation for depression in adolescents with acquired brain injury: A single-case experimental protocol

NMDAR antibody encephalitis

NMDAR antibody encephalitis is an autoimmune disease that causes psychiatric features, confusion, memory loss and seizures followed by a movement disorder, loss of consciousness and changes in blood pressure, heart rate and temperature.

Herpes Simplex virus encephalitis

Herpes simplex encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis which happens when herpes simplex virus (HSV) enters the brain. Usually, it begins with ‘flu-like’ symptoms followed by neurological deterioration, which may include personality and behavioural changes, seizures, weakness and difficulties in communication.

What is encephalitis?

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by an infection or through the immune system attacking the brain in error.

West Nile encephalitis

West Nile encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis caused by West Nile virus. People usually become infected after being bitten by a mosquito, which has fed on an infected bird.

Guidelines for recovery

No two people with encephalitis have the same outcomes. People recover at different paces. Recovery can be helped by having lots of rest, good nutrition, helpful social network and support from professionals.

Limbic encephalitis

The term ‘limbic encephalitis’ (LE) describes the condition when limbic areas of the brain are inflamed (swollen) and consequently not functioning properly. Most forms of LE fall into two main categories: infectious encephalitis and autoimmune encephalitis.

Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is an infectious encephalitis caused by Japanese encephalitis virus transmitted by mosquitoes, called ‘Culex’ mosquitoes.

Hashimoto's encephalopathy

Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a rare condition, which is probably of autoimmune origin. The concept of HE is becoming fragmented into a number of other types of autoimmune encephalitis which appear to have their own autoantibodies, prognosis and associated features.

Death from encephalitis

Encephalitis is a serious neurological condition and unfortunately, despite improvements in specific and more supportive treatments such as excellent intensive care management, encephalitis still has a high mortality (death) rate.

Measles infection and encephalitis

Measles causes encephalitis in children with measles infection. Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a very effective way to prevent against these diseases.