Limbic encephalitis

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Limbic Encephalitis

Limbic encephalitis (pronounced: lim-bic en-sef-a-li-tis) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by inflammation of the limbic system, a part of the brain involved in memory, behavior, and emotions.

Etymology

The term 'limbic encephalitis' is derived from the Latin word 'limbus', meaning 'border', and the Greek word 'encephalitis', meaning 'inflammation of the brain'. This refers to the inflammation occurring in the limbic system, which is located on the border of the brain's cortex.

Symptoms

Symptoms of limbic encephalitis can vary widely, but often include memory loss, confusion, seizures, and behavioral changes. These symptoms are due to the inflammation and damage to the neurons in the limbic system.

Causes

Limbic encephalitis is often associated with an underlying autoimmune disease or cancer, particularly small cell lung cancer and testicular cancer. In these cases, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the neurons in the limbic system.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of limbic encephalitis involves a combination of clinical assessment, MRI scans to detect inflammation in the brain, and blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests to identify any associated autoimmune disease or cancer.

Treatment

Treatment for limbic encephalitis is primarily focused on managing the underlying cause. This may involve immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune diseases, or cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Related Terms

External links

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