Clinical clues to recognizing encephalitis presenting with behavioral symptoms.

What is it about?

While there has been recent interest in very rare cases of encephalitis (brain inflammation) caused by certain antibodies (NMDAR), encephalitis caused by many types of infection or inflammation has been known to present with behavioral signs and symptoms. There are certain symptoms, e.g., disinhibition, feelings of terror, that reflect damage to specific orbitofrontal and temporal lobes of the brain that are typically affected in encephalitis and can serve as clinical clues to the underlying disorder. In addition, patients with proven evidence of encephalitis may be sensitive to side effects of medications.

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Why is it important?

Even though it is very rare, it is important to recognize encephalitis because there are specific tests to diagnose the cause and specific treatments for some types of the disorder.

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