Encephalitis is a syndrome about which little is known. It is an inflammation of the brain that comes on suddenly and produces serious neurological disease. It can have a variety of causes ranging from infection to rogue auto-immune responses. Mortality rates following Encephalitis are high; and even when people survive they may be left with devastating disability that can profoundly affect both their own lives and those of their loved ones.

Historically, research into Encephalitis has lagged behind that of other diseases. Encephalitis was seen as a relatively rare condition, about which little could be done. The Encephalitis Society has striven to change this and is proactive in the field of research, particularly in respect of the social consequences which unlike the medical and psychological fields, has remained of secondary importance.

Encephalitis, in common with many other neurological conditions, has traditionally been a diagnosis of exclusion. That is to say physicians have not had a single test to confirm the diagnosis; but instead have relied upon their experience, clinical acumen and exclusion of other possible diagnoses before reaching the diagnosis of encephalitis. Our understanding of how, why and which infections and auto-immune responses cause inflammation of the brain is comparatively poorly understood.

We promote, conduct and assist with research into Encephalitis by appointing leading medical and health care professionals to the Society’s Professional Advisory Panel; conducting research and working in partnership with other researchers and research institutions. The Society also awards grants for research into Encephalitis and holds an annual essay prize and travel bursary for interested medical students and junior physicians.

The Encephalitis Society has a dedicated Research Fund where monies donated on this page will be allocated specifically for the purpose of research.

Click here to see a broader overview of the issues relating to Encephalitis and research.

We need a better understanding of the pathophysiology of Encephalitis (i.e. how the infection or auto-immune responses causes the disease). We need better clinical predictors of Encephalitis so that treatment can be started early. We also need to be able to identify the causes of the many unknown forms of Encephalitis which still present today.

The current questions the Society and its professional advisors are aiming to support, encourage, participate in and fund over the next 10 years can be viewed here

As well as research into Encephalitis there is also a pressing need to; increase general awareness of the disease; improve the rehabilitation of survivors; and to develop the support for both patients and their carers facing what can be a lifelong disability. 

These funds are used for all costs associated with conducting research to enable the research and the dissemination of findings.  Therefore this includes the costs of the research itself and all associated administration costs necessary to organise, promote and facilitate exemplary research in a variety of areas associated with the diagnosis, management, treatment and consequences of Encephalitis.

We thank you for visiting our site, reading about Encephalitis and the Society's objectives, and for making a much appreciated donation for research into Encephalitis.

  

Sincere thanks,

 

The Encephalitis Society Team

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 The Encephalitis Society receives no Government funding