Our blog

Celebrating our 25th anniversary

The Encephalitis Society celebrated its 25th anniversary with a party in central London on June 20. Read more and see all the photographs. Read more

How caring for a three-year-old led me to a research career

How caring for a three-year-old boy led Dr Anusha Yeshokumar to a career researching autoimmune neurology at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York. Read more

The evaluation of seizure treatment in autoimmune encephalitis

Researchers have investigated the effects of immunotherapy and antiepileptic drugs on seizures in autoimmune encephalitis Read more

Aston Brain Centre to host Silver Jubilee PhD Fellowship

Aston Brain Centre at Aston University has been chosen to host the Encephalitis Society's Silver Jubilee PhD Fellowship. Dr Sukhvir Wright, Research Fellow at Aston Brain Centre, talks about the fellowship and the work of the centre. Read more

Cameroon and Brazil research projects given £20,000 in seed funding

Life-saving research projects in Brazil and Cameroon have each received £10,000 as part of our 25th anniversary international research seed funding project. Find out more. Read more

Why we need your help during Encephalitis Research Month

Dr Ava Easton, Chief Executive of the Encephalitis Society, on why we need your help during Encephalitis Research Month. Read more

My Brain & Medicine 2019

Read our blog and see all the photographs from My Brain & Medicine at the Royal Society of Medicine, 2019 Read more

Measles, vaccines and encephalitis - a blog

A blog by Dr Ava Easton, Chief Executive of the Encephalitis Society, about measles, vaccinations and encephalitis Read more

Revisiting our special relationships in the U.S.

Phillippa Chapman, the Encephalitis Society's Director of Services, writes about her trip to New York City for the Autoimmune Encephalitis Symposium in April, 2019 Read more

Q&A - Stanley Zimba

A Q&A with Stanley Zimba who is one of the first trainees of the Neurology Training Program in Zambia. Read more

Q&A - Nfwama Kawatu-Mulenga

A Q&A with Nfwama Kawatu-Mulenga who is one of the first trainees of the Neurology Training Program in Zambia. Read more

Latest

My Brain and Medicine 2020

Join the Encephalitis Society when we return to the Royal Society of Medicine on Monday April 27, 2020, for My Brain and Medicine. There will be talks by professionals working in the field of encephalitis and people who have been directly affected by encephalitis.

My Brain and me - Dawn's story

Dawn - who was affected by HSV encephalitis at 17 - talks about her experiences of encephalitis, her recovery, and its impact on her life.

Encephalitis Matters

Please sign our petition today because #EncephalitisMatters

Corinna's story

Corinna, a travel writer from Australia, fell ill with Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis and talks about her illness and the lessons she has learned as she continues her recovery

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.