INFORMATION ON RASMUSSEN'S ENCEPHALITIS

Rasmussen’s encephalitis is a rare, chronic inflammatory disease that usually affects only one hemisphere of the brain. Rasmussen’s Encephalitis is an rare disease, progressive, central nervous system disorder, characterized by seizures, hemiparesis, inflammation of the brain, and mental deterioration. Rasmussen's Encephalitis is also known as Rasmussen's Syndrome and Rasmussen's Disease. Which affects almost in children under the age of 10? Most individuals with Rasmussen’s encephalitis will experience frequent seizures and brain damage over the course of the first 8 to 12 months, and then enter a phase of permanent, but stable, neurological deficits. Scientists currently think that Rasmussen’s encephalitis is an autoimmune disease in which immune system cells enter the brain and cause inflammation and damage.

SYNONYMS OF RASMUSSEN'S ENCEPHALITIS

Synonyms and other related keyword are:

1. Epilepsy, Hemiplegia and Mental Retardation
2. Rasmussen's Syndrome
3. Acute necrotizing encephalitis
4. Chronic Encephalitis and Epilepsy
5. Chronic Localized Encephalitis

CAUSES OF RASMUSSEN’S ENCEPHALITIS

1. In 1990 it was discovered that Rasmussen's encephalitis is an autoimmune disease.
2. Many patients have antibodies in their blood that bind to nerve cells and which damage the brain.
3. Minor bacterial or viral infection, or head injury.
4. Episodes of uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain that cause convulsive seizures.

SYMPTOMS OF RASMUSSEN’S ENCEPHALITIS

Some of the symptoms of Rasmussen's Encephalitis include:

1. Seizures, having a seizure can result in the sudden occurrence of any activity that's coordinated by your brain.
2. Severe seizures
3. Loss of motor skills
4. Loss of speech
5. Hemiparesis

DIAGNOSIS OF RASMUSSEN'S ENCEPHALITIS

Rasmussen's encephalitis is diagnosed

1. Brain scans.
2. Blood tests. These include assays for a range of antibodies and tests to exclude faction.
3. Lumbar puncture. Spinal fluid is examined for evidence of inflammation and infection.
4. Brain biopsy. This is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
5. Electroencephalogram. This records the electrical activity of the brain and is useful in characterizing the type of seizures the patient has.

TREATMENT OF RASMUSSEN'S ENCEPHALITIS

Treatment for Rasmussen's encephalitis is

1. Surgery to remove or disconnect the affected part of the brain.
2. Anti-epileptic drugs may be prescribed initially; they are usually not effective in controlling the seizures.
3. Plasmapheresis, ketogenic diet, and steroids
4. Medical therapy early in the disease to prevent progression, helped prompt trials of immune therapy.