News
ENCEPHALITIS INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHES F.L.A.M.E.S
12 February 2026
A life‑saving awareness initiative — led by our community F.L.A.M.E.S reflects the urgent neurological signs that the general public and non-specialist acute medics should be aware of to help recognise encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) earlier. F.L.A.M.E.S stands for Flu-like Symptoms, Loss of Consciousness, Acute Headache, Memory Problems, Emotional/Behavioural Changes, Seizures. These are the symptoms most commonly […]
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Seeking reliable health information in an ‘infodemic’ – navigating misinformation in a digital world
11 February 2026
Key points Online resources have increased ways to access to health information, but all sources of information need to be considered carefully. Trusted sources exist and can be identified in various ways such as accreditation. AI (artificial intelligence) is a possible springboard to other information sources but must be approached with caution and should never […]
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Encephalitis Conference 2025 Bursary Report
10 February 2026
Encephalitis 2025 Conference Bursary Report Isabela Bettu Bini, Brazil Attending the Conference was an extremely valuable experience, both academically and professionally. As a Brazilian medical student with a strong interest in neurology and infectious diseases, the event reinforced my motivation to pursue a career that combines clinical practice with research, particularly in the field of […]
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Can Early Tests Help Predict Recovery After Infectious Encephalitis?
2 February 2026
By Mark Warburton Infectious encephalitis is a serious condition that can lead to long-term neurological problems or death. One of the biggest challenges for clinicians is knowing, early on, who is most at risk of a poor outcome. A new systematic review and meta-analysis by researchers from the United Kingdom, including CEO of Encephalitis International Dr. […]
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Encephalitis International Participates in Amazon Web Services’ Breaking Barriers Challenge
20 January 2026
Last week, Encephalitis International was thrilled to take part in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Breaking Barriers Challenge 2026 in Manchester, an inspiring three-day event that brought together non-profits, technologists, students, and industry experts to tackle real-world problems using cloud-based technology and AI. For Encephalitis International, the opportunity to collaborate in such an innovative environment […]
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New research on distinguishing NMDAR-antibody encephalitis
19 January 2026
Researchers including members of Encephalitis International’s Scientific Advisory Panel have shed new light in diagnosing NMDAR-antibody encephalitis. Their findings, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, reveal that NMDAR-antibody encephalitis has a distinctive, rapidly evolving psychiatric signature. What is NMDAR-antibody encephalitis? NMDAR-antibody encephalitis is an autoimmune condition in which antibodies attack NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors in the brain. […]
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Varicella zoster (Chickenpox) vaccines for children start across UK
6 January 2026
Introduction The UK government has announced that children across England will now, for the first time, be offered a free vaccine against varicella zoster (chickenpox) virus (VZV) on the NHS. Encephalitis International is highlighting the importance of protecting against not only chickenpox itself, but also the potentially devastating complication – encephalitis or swelling of the […]
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Encephalitis International Wishes Ambassador George Clarke Good Luck for BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing Grand Final!
20 November 2025
George is in the Grand Final of Strictly Come Dancing this Saturday (20/12/2025). It is the biggest night in the ballroom! Our votes matter more than ever this week, so please vote for George and Alexis and let’s all hope that he raises the glitterball!! Shimmy over to the BBC website to cast your votes […]
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Major breakthrough in our understanding of tick-borne virus encephalitis
6 November 2025
In a landmark study, scientists have unearthed a mechanism by which a dangerous virus enters brain cells to cause encephalitis. Introduction Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) has been spreading in Europe and Asia in recent years, causing life-threatening encephalitis. A new study by an international team of researchers has identified a key protein that the virus […]
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Encephalitis International Publishes in Nature
17 October 2025
Encephalitis International is proud to announce the publication of a review paper in Nature Primer, co-authored by CEO of Encephalitis International, Dr. Ava Easton and members of Encephalitis International’s Scientific Advisory Panel. Introduction The landmark publication by de Bruijn et al., simply titled ‘Autoimmune encephalitis’, is a 19-page comprehensive review aimed at healthcare professionals and […]
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Psychology Today - The Inflamed Brain (October 2025)
6 October 2025
Finding a Path Through Parenthood After Brain Injury Parenthood after brain injury: The mother I wanted to be, the mother I became. When you’ve had a brain injury, becoming a parent can be very different to how you imagined. The impact it can have is as wide as the types of brain injury and personalities […]
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Can AI help diagnose autoimmune encephalitis?
12 August 2025
Researchers in Germany and Switzerland have developed a ground-breaking artificial intelligence (AI) system that can predict whether patients with suspected autoimmune encephalitis will test positive for disease-specific antibodies. The AI system, details of which were published in Scientific Reports in March this year, could dramatically speed up diagnosis of this serious brain condition. Diagnosing autoimmune […]
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Encephalitis International publishes article on vaccine hesitancy
31 July 2025
Encephalitis International is proud to announce the publication of an article on vaccine hesitancy in the prestigious journal Practice Nurse. Introduction The work, co-authored by Encephalitis International’s CEO Dr Ava Easton and its Senior Medical Writer Prav Prathapan, traces the history of vaccine hesitancy from its origins in 19th century anti-vaccination movements to today’s digitalised […]
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Psychology Today - The Inflamed Brain (July 2025)
16 July 2025
Can a Virus Increase Your Risk of Dementia? The Herpes Hypothesis: How common viruses might influence long-term brain health Co-authored by Lærke Storgaard Duerlund, M.D., and Arun Venkatesan, Professor Interest in the herpes-dementia connection began in the 1990s. Despite decades of research, the role of herpesviruses in dementia remains uncertain. Visit The Can a Virus […]
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My Neurology Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF): First year - by Dr Abdusshakur Muhammad Auwal
4 July 2025
By Dr Abdusshakur Muhammad Auwal, NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow, University of Liverpool and Walton NHS Foundation Trust Introduction The first year of my Neurology Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF) has been intense but very rewarding. It was intense due to the need to combine clinical work and research at the same time while maintaining competency in […]
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Psychology Today - The Inflamed Brain (May 2025)
23 May 2025
The 100-year-old Brain Disease That Could Come Back How to face a pandemic that affects the mind. by Jonathan Rogers, Ph.D A hundred years ago, a pandemic swept around the world and we had no idea what caused it. Worse still, even today, we’re still not sure. Patients often developed Parkinson’s-like symptoms, personality changes, or […]
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New research on emotional adjustment after encephalitis
6 May 2025
Key points: A team of UK researchers, including Encephalitis International’s CEO Dr Ava Easton, explored how to accurately capture experiences of emotional adjustment after encephalitis. Transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural therapy (T-CBT), previously tested for anxiety, can capture experiences of emotional adjustment after encephalitis. Future clinical trials and psychological therapy may be informed by this work. Introduction […]
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Football auction!
6 May 2025
On Friday 9th May, Encephalitis International will be holding a 10-day auction of over 20 football shirts and memorabilia including several items from Premier Leagues teams across England and Scotland. The shirts have been donated by the clubs in response to a request made jointly by Encephalitis International, Huddersfield Town AFC and Peter and Kathy […]
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Extraordinary concert raises funds in memory of Eleanor
24 April 2025
We are always deeply thankful to many of our community who raise funds for Encephalitis International in a variety of ways. Earlier this year, on the 9th February 2025, Peter and Kathy Haigh in partnership with the Masquerade and Belcanto Ladies Choirs organised a fundraising concert at Kettering Arts Centre to raise funds in memory […]
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Celebrating 25 years with Dr Ava Easton
24 April 2025
Today marks 25 years since Ava started working for Encephalitis International and what a 25 years it has been! To help celebrate this incredible milestone we thought we should share some of her career highlights and successes (trust us there are many more!) – not in any particular order! Earlier this year the World Health […]
Read MoreThe What, Why, When and Where of Will Writing
1 April 2025
Thousands of non-profits like Encephalitis International rely on legacies – gifts that people have left in their will – to fund their charitable work across the world. Encephalitis International dedicates campaigns to promote leaving a gift in your will and has webpages featuring this area of our fundraising: Gift in Will – Leave a Legacy […]
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Improving brain infection diagnostics in India
18 March 2025
By Dr Angel T Miraclin India (Vellore Centre) Co-Investigator, Brain Infections Global Intervention Study Associate Professor, Neurology, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, India. To view the full paper click here (external link). Brain infections remain a major cause of illness and death, requiring timely and accurate diagnosis for effective treatment. In India, the healthcare […]
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Improving brain infection diagnostics in Malawi
18 March 2025
By Dr Gareth D Lipunga Malawi Study Physician, Brain Infections Global Intervention Study, Study Physician, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme & Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi. To view the full paper click here (external link). In an effort to improve timely diagnosis and early management of patients with suspected brain infections, we implemented a […]
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Brain infection diagnostics in Brazil and beyond
14 March 2025
By Dr Rafael FO Franca Brazil Principal Investigator, Brain Infections Global Intervention Study Virologist & Group Leader, Fiocruz (Oswaldo Cruz Foundation), and currently Director, Fiocruz São Paulo. To view the full paper click here (external link). Brain infections, including encephalitis and meningitis, pose a serious health challenge, particularly for impoverished populations who are more […]
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