News
Support Encephalitis International - Donate Online
6 January 2025
We’re very excited to be launching our new online donation form! This is hosted on our website and will allow our supporters to make a donation in a number of currencies: Great British Pounds, £GBP Euros, €EUR Australian Dollars, $AUD American Dollars, $USD Payments can be made using a credit / debit card, or via […]
Read More
Fundraising for Encephalitis International
20 December 2024
As we near the end of 2024, we want to congratulate all our wonderful fundraisers – over 300 across the world – who have spread awareness and raised vital funds throughout the year. Their generosity ensures we can continue to support the encephalitis community into the future. Our 99 Brain Gamers spent September challenging themselves with […]
Read More
David Brown 1952-2024
11 December 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Professor David W G Brown, MBBS MSc FRCPath FFPH. An internationally renowned public health virologist, David served with distinction as director of the Health Protection Agency’s Virus Reference Department from 2004 until his retirement in 2012, and a visiting professor at LSHTM. After training […]
Read More
Encephalitis International and PPI (Patient & Public Involvement)
5 December 2024
What is PPI? PPI stands for Patient and Public Involvement in research. It describes how patients and the public can participate in medical research. It is important that, where possible, patients and the public have the opportunity to be involved in all stages of research. PPI can include: sharing lived experience of encephalitis, as a […]
Read More
Autoimmune causes of seizures and epilepsy
25 November 2024
A seizure is a sudden change in behaviour, movement, and/or consciousness due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. While 1 in 10 people will have a seizure during their lifetime, only around 1 in 100-200 will develop epilepsy, which means having repeated seizures over time. There are many causes of seizures and epilepsy. However, […]
Read More
Psychology Today - The Inflamed Brain (November 2024)
4 November 2024
Finding Life-Changing Support Through Patient Events By Jackie Stebbins, Esq It seems unfathomable that a person could start the day with a 10-million-dollar professional career ahead of her but have it erased by the day’s end. It’s scary to believe that you can be diagnosed with a life-changing illness that you’ve never even heard of. It’s heartbreaking […]
Read More
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
28 October 2024
Key points: EEE is a viral disease transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. EEE virus is rare but has a 30% mortality rate among infected individuals. Half of survivors have brain or nerve problems. There is no human vaccine for EEE – so prevention is crucial. Introduction EEE has been in the […]
Read More
Encephalitis – an invisible disability
24 October 2024
Every year, between 20-26th October, we celebrate Invisible Disability Week which was founded by the USA-based non profit organisation Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) in 2014. The aim of this campaign is to promote awareness, education, and support for those living with an invisible disability and their families around the world. Global statistics on invisible disabilities […]
Read More
Encephalitis International is PIF TICK accredited
21 October 2024
Encephalitis International is proud to be accredited with the PIF TICK. What is PIF TICK? PIF TICK is a UK quality mark for reliable health information. Encephalitis International has received this accreditation from the Patient Information Forum (PIF), which means our health information is trustworthy. Why is it important? The PIF TICK accreditation helps people […]
Read More
Research Blog: The Effects of Parenting Stress on Behavioural Problems in Children and Young People with Acquired Brain Injuries
9 October 2024
Read below about Toby Engelking’s study from the University of Exeter. Toby is a student researcher and a carer for his sibling with an acquired brain injury: Growing up with a sister that had experienced an acquired brain injury, I have always been acutely aware of the potential adverse effects of damage to the brain. […]
Read More
Psychology Today - The Inflamed Brain (September)
27 September 2024
By Laura Ryan The lucky, unlucky one. That is what my mom always calls me. The chances of developing autoimmune encephalitis, inflammation of the brain caused by the immune system in error, were thought at the time to be roughly the same as winning the lotto—except I didn’t win the lotto, and I certainly did […]
Read More
Researchers discover latest insights into after-effects of severe COVID-19 on the brain
26 September 2024
New steps have been taken towards a better understanding of the immediate and long-term impact of COVID-19 on the brain in the UK’s largest study to date. We are delighted to announce that a study from researchers led by the University of Liverpool (including our CEO Dr Ava Easton and members of our Scientific Advisory […]
Read More
Mpox and encephalitis
20 September 2024
Key points: Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, can lead to rare but severe neurological complications. Encephalitis is the most common neurological complication of mpox infection, causing inflammation of the brain. Vaccination and early treatment are crucial in preventing severe outcomes of mpox infection. Introduction When you think about mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), you might […]
Read More
We are closing our X account
16 September 2024
Our account on X, formerly known as Twitter, has been a source of connection and information for our members and wider community for many years. However, after an internal review, we have decided to close it. At Encephalitis International, we aim for everyone to be respected for who they are. Everyone deserves to feel supported […]
Read More
Oropouche virus – what you need to know
29 August 2024
A virus in Brazil has been causing concern for health organisations around the world. Introduction The Oropouche virus (pronounced o-ro-push) has now been described as a ‘mysterious’ and ‘emerging’ threat in the prestigious scientific journal The Lancet (1). In July, authorities in Brazil reported the deaths of two adults from Oropouche fever as a result […]
Read More
Psychology Today - The Inflamed Brain (June)
9 August 2024
Protect Your Brain and Body Health While Exploring the World By Prav Prathapan, Encephalitis International While encephalitis can happen to anyone anywhere in the world, certain regions and travel activities can increase your chances of exposure to the bugs that can trigger this illness. Importantly, in recent years, there has been an increase in the […]
Read More
Death from encephalitis podcast
7 August 2024
In a recent podcast, Dr Ava Easton, CEO of Encephalitis International, and Prof Arun Venkatesan, Director of the Johns Hopkins Encephalitis Center, tackle a challenging aspect of encephalitis: mortality. This topic resonates deeply with many who have lost loved ones to this condition and addresses a reality that is often difficult to talk about yet […]
Read More
Abi Burton
1 August 2024
From Olympian to Encephalitis to Olympian again! Introduction Encephalitis International is thrilled to hear one of our Ambassadors, Abi Burton, is set to join this year’s Olympics in Paris! But the journey to get here was far from an easy one. Born for greatness Abi Burton’s journey is one of remarkable resilience and transformation. Born […]
Read More
Rebecca Adlington
1 August 2024
Introduction Encephalitis International are enjoying watching our Ambassador Double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington share her expertise at the Paris 2024 Olympics! This summer, Rebecca is hosting the Swimming coverage live in Paris and who better for the role? A personal connection The swimming sports star, who won two gold medals at the 2008 Beijing […]
Read More
The Brain Games 2024
1 August 2024
Back by popular demand, BrainWalk returns but slightly different to how some of our community may remember it. The challenge has had a makeover and returns in September 2024 as The Brain Games – less focussed on steps and more on allowing our community to set themselves any daily challenge for the 30 days of […]
Read More
Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) is unveiled by the WHO
11 July 2024
The World Health Organization has published a new toolkit to address neurological disorders called the Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP). Introduction The world of neurology just got a boost. The Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (IGAP) 2022-2031 is a resource that was created to address the significant global burden of […]
Read More
Mapping the brain
25 June 2024
Scientists have created a brain ‘atlas’ for medical research Introduction In a momentous scientific achievement, an international team of researchers working with the BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) have created the most detailed maps of the human brain ever made. This ‘brain atlas’ offers a 3D view of our most complex organ and identifies […]
Read More
Psychology Today - The Inflamed Brain (May)
29 May 2024
Guardians of Health: Vaccines’ Role in Liberating Healthcare Resources by Dr. Blen Mamo Gebresilassie, MD Neurologist, Neuroinfectious Diseases Clinical Research Fellow at Columbia University under the guidance of Dr. Kiran Thakur Vaccines are one of medicine’s greatest success stories. In the realm of public health, few interventions have had as profound an impact as vaccines. […]
Read More
Psychology Today - The Inflamed Brain (April)
9 April 2024
Measles: Catching Your Death—A Public Health Crisis By Dr Ava Easton, Encephalitis International I know about measles. I had it as a child and was pretty unwell with it, confined to a darkened room for more than a week with concerns raised for my eyesight, among other things. Decades later, I still know about measles […]
Read More