How does the Encephalitis Society support research?

Throughout Encephalitis Research Month, we will be talking about all things encephalitis research: why is research important, what the Encephalitis Society does to help research, as well as highlighting some of the key research figures and projects.

We respond to emergencies

COVID-19 and encephalitis

Since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged at the end of 2019, there has been growing evidence which suggests that it can cause neurological complications, including encephalitis. That is why we dedicated our second round of seed funding (2020) to projects on encephalitis and COVID-19 and funded two projects in the USA.

The first project aimed to elucidate possible routes of CNS infection by the virus and identify brain regions and cell types most vulnerable to either direct infection or the effects of systemic cytokines. The project was led by Dr Emily Happy Miller from Columbia University Irving Medical Center-New York Presbyterian Hospital. Findings have been published in the journal Brain.

The second project was a pilot study which aimed to dissect the mechanisms through which subsets of neurons, specifically dopamine neurons, are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The project was led by Dr Oliver Harschnitz, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, USA).

Japanese encephalitis (JE) outbreak in Australia

Following the outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in Australia earlier 2022, we mobilised a strategic campaign which included a JE masterclass webinar (411 people from 27 countries attended), a media campaign (which reached 1.5 million via traditional media and up to 1 million via social media), and information resources (1,138 web page views/1 week and 53,000 people/month on social media).

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) spread in Europe

In response to the spread of the tick-borne encephalitis virus across Europe, the Encephalitis Society held a TBE masterclass webinar for professionals across the globe. 455 people from 47 countries attended.

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June is Encephalitis Research Month.

And to celebrate, The Big Give is offering to DOUBLE every donation we receive this month - so for every £1 that is donated, we will receive another £1 on top.

Any money raised will go towards our Encephalitis Research Month appeal and projects which support researchers around the world.

If you would like to double your donation to the Encephalitis Society, visit the Big Give website.

Double your Donation