Our staff

Alina Ellerington

Projects and Information Coordinator Read more

Andrew Cleaton

Trusts and Foundations Coordinator Read more

Dr Ava Easton

Chief Executive, Encephalitis Society; Honorary Fellow, University of Liverpool Read more

Sara Birch-Ares

Support Services Coordinator Read more

Latest

Virtual gatherings

Join the staff and supporters of the Encephalitis Society in a regular online chat. Meetings held weekly.

Spring newsletter 2020

Your spring newsletter is now available to read featuring highlights from the Encephalitis Society from the past three months

Covid-19 - Live Blog

Our live blog offers updates on Covid-19 and encephalitis, as well as useful factsheets and information from the Encephalitis Society

Coronavirus - a message from our CEO

A message from Dr Ava Easton, the Chief Executive of the Encephalitis Society in response to the Covid-19 outbreak

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.

Our staff

Alina Ellerington

Andrew Cleaton

Andrew Pitt

Caroline Clark

Dr Ava Easton

Jon Ainley

Julia Clark

Julie Welburn

Laura Bowditch

Pam Gourley

Phillippa Chapman

Sara Birch-Ares