Limbic Encephalitis

Vincent This factsheet aims to provide people affected by Encephalitis, their families, friends and carers with a better undertstanding of limbic Encephalitis. The limbic area of the brain controls many types of activities including memory, learning, and emotions such as sexual desire, love, anger, sadness and jealousy. The main regions of the limbic area include the hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus and amygdala. The term " Limbic Encephalitis " (LE) is used when the doctors think that the main area of the brain that is inflamed (swollen) or not functioning properly is the limbic system. The symptoms of limbic encephalitis include memory loss, seizures, confusion, disturbances of sleep and psychological disturbances such as altered personality or behaviour. There are several causes of Limbic Encephalitis, and often the underlying cause is not found.