Von economo's disease

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Other names[edit | edit source]

Encephalitis lethargica

Encephalitis lethargica
Encephalitis lethargica

Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]

Encephalitis lethargica is a disease characterized by high fever, headache, double vision, delayed physical and mental response, and lethargy.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

  • In acute cases, patients may enter coma.
  • Patients may also experience abnormal eye movements, upper body weakness, muscular pains, tremors, neck rigidity, and behavioral changes including psychosis.

Cause[edit | edit source]

  • The cause of encephalitis lethargica is unknown.
  • Between 1917 to 1928, an epidemic of encephalitis lethargica spread throughout the world, but no recurrence of the epidemic has since been reported.
  • Postencephalitic Parkinson's disease may develop after a bout of encephalitis-sometimes as long as a year after the illness

Prognosis[edit | edit source]

The course of encephalitis lethargica varies depending upon complications or accompanying disorders.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for encephalitis lethargica is symptomatic. Levodopa and other antiparkinson drugs often produce dramatic responses.


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD