The Encephalitis Podcast

The Encephalitis Podcast

The Encephalitis Podcast is brought to you by Encephalitis International and covers everything to do surrounding inflammation of the brain. Interviews with neurologists, psychiatrists, survivors and in-depth looks at different aspects of encephalitis. For more information about encephalitis, visit www.encephalitis.info

Episodes

August 14, 2026 19 mins

Episode 73

In this episode of the Encephalitis Podcast, Prav speaks with Eva, a paediatric trainee and PhD student at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, about Rasmussen’s encephalitis - a form of brain inflammation that mainly affects one side of the brain. 

Eva explains the challenges of early diagnosis, current treatment options, and the long-term impact on children and families. She also shares how...

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In this episode of The Encephalitis Podcast, Prav is joined by Yvonne and Zoe. 

Yvonne and her daughter Zoe as they reflect on the impact encephalitis has had on their family, from Yvonne’s sudden illness and long recovery to Zoe’s experience growing up alongside its lasting effects. 

Together, they share an honest mother-and-daughter perspective on invisible disability, epilepsy, school support, family resili...

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In this episode of The Encephalitis Podcast, Prav Prathapan speaks with Dr Melissa Wright, a paediatric autoimmune neurologist at the University of Utah and Director of the Paediatric Autoimmune Neurology and Neuroimmunology Program at Primary Children’s Hospital, about clinical trials in paediatric autoimmune encephalitis.

Dr Wright explains why clinical trials are so important for children with autoimmune encephalitis, how ...

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As part of Volunteer Week, we’re sharing the powerful story of Evie, who developed autoimmune anti-NMDAR encephalitis at just 19 years old.

What began with flu-like symptoms quickly became seizures, hallucinations, psychosis, memory loss, and months in hospital. In this deeply honest conversation, Evie opens up about surviving encephalitis as a teenager, losing her sense of identity, struggling to return to work and normal li...

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In this episode, Prav speaks with Hina about her son Dian’s journey with autoimmune encephalitis and the challenges of returning to school after a life-changing diagnosis.

After Dian began experiencing seizures at just seven years old, Hina and her family faced a long and emotional journey through hospital testing, uncertainty, memory difficulties, and major changes in daily life and more recently his transition up to a new s...

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The Encephalitis Podcast Ep 70

In this special episode of the Encephalitis Podcast for World Immunization Week, we spotlight West Nile encephalitis through the powerful short film Unconquered: Battling Back After West Nile Virus.

Host Prav is joined by Tom, a West Nile encephalitis survivor, and Shawn, filmmaker and CEO of SES Productions, who brought Tom’s story to life on screen.

Tom shares his journey from sudden severe il...

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The Encephalitis Podcast Ep 69

In this episode of the Encephalitis Podcast, Prav speaks with Bill, an endurance athlete who shares his powerful journey through tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). From competing in swimrun events across Nordic countries to facing severe neurological symptoms and a long recovery, Bill’s story highlights how unexpected and serious this virus can be.

As part of World Immunization Week, this conversati...

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The Encephalitis Podcast Ep 68

In this episode, we explore why completing your full vaccination schedule is essential for protecting against encephalitis. 

Prav is joined by Professor Lance Turtle, an expert in infectious diseases, who explains how vaccines work, why multiple doses matter, and the risks of stopping after just one shot. Learn how vaccines not only protect individuals but also help reduce the global burden of se...

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Ep 67 - In this episode of the Encephalitis Podcast, Prav speaks with Professor Tom Solomon CBE, a leading neurologist and infectious disease expert, about the groundbreaking DexEnceph study - two decades in the making.

Discover how this UK-wide clinical trial explored whether dexamethasone (a corticosteroid used to treat various inflammatory conditions) could improve outcomes in herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis, the challen...

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In this episode of the Encephalitis Podcast, Prav speaks with neurologist Dr. Aline Matos about the development of global training modules designed to help clinicians diagnose and treat encephalitis -especially in low-resource settings.

They explore why encephalitis is often missed or misdiagnosed, the life-changing consequences of delayed diagnosis, and how these practical modules empower clinicians to act even with limited tools.

...

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What is MOG antibody-associated encephalitis, and how does it differ from other types of autoimmune brain inflammation?

In this episode of The Encephalitis Podcast, Prav speaks with Dr. Matteo Gastaldi, neurologist and Head of the Neuroimmunology Research Unit in Pavia, Italy. Together, they explore MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), including how it presents in children and adults, symptoms to watch for, how it can mimic vir...

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The Encephalitis Podcast Ep 63

In this episode, Prav is joined by Dr. Freddie Byrne, clinical psychologist and Clinical Director of Living with ABI Limited. 

Together they explore the realities of parenting after encephalitis and acquired brain injury (ABI), including changes in family roles, the impact on children’s well-being, trauma, and post-injury growth. Drawing on over a decade of experience, Dr. Byrne shares prac...

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Encephalitis Podcast Ep 63 

In this episode of The Encephalitis Podcast, Prav is joined by leading neurologist Dr Nicholas Davies to introduce F.L.A.M.E.S., a new life-saving acronym designed to help the public and healthcare professionals recognise the urgent symptoms of encephalitis.

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If you have been affected by encephalitis and are i...

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Encephalitis Podcast Ep 62

In this episode of the Encephalitis Podcast, Prav is joined by award-winning screenwriter and director Scott Z. Burns to discuss the depiction of encephalitis in films and explore the science, humanity, and lasting impact of the 2011 film Contagion. Inspired by real-world viruses such as Nipah and SARS, the film gained renewed relevance during the COVID-19 pandemic for its portrayal of a global outbreak w...

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In this powerful and emotive podcast episode Denis shares his journey of living with viral encephalitis from his life as an aeronautical engineer through the sudden onset of illness, hospitalisation, and a long, complex recovery. He discusses memory loss, intense emotions, vivid and distressing 'encephalitis dreams'.

Denis also explains the coping strategies, psychological support, and practical techniques that helped him regain st...

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The Encephalitis Podcast Ep 60

This podcast episode is about sleep and encephalitis. Sleep difficulties can be a symptom of encephalitis as well as a potentially long-term after-effect.   Prav is joined by Dr. David Lee. Dr Lee is a chartered psychologist and chartered scientist who has been researching sleep and the psycho-behavioral treatment of insomnia for the last 20 years. He holds memberships with the World Sleep Societ...

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In this episode, Prav talks to Wady a patient advocate, music educator, singer-songwriter and survivor of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.

Here is a link to Wady's music https://youtu.be/btoaGoXLi1k

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If you have been affected by encephalitis and are in need of some support, please visit https://www.encepha...

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Encephalitis Podcast Episode 58

In this episode, Prav talks to Kenny Thoms the Co-Founder, Director & Specialist at NeuroPhysio in Glasgow. Kenny works with individuals recovering from neurological events or those managing long-term neurological conditions.

They discuss neurological physiotherapy and rehabilitation including the specific neurological challenges that encephalitis survivors face.

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September 17, 2025 34 mins

In this episode, Prav is joined by a mother who is changing the world! Not just for her own child, but for so many others. Kate Fisher, the founder of Milkshakes for Marleigh - a blood donation initiative in Australia - talks about her daughter's experience of encephalitis and how she now commits her life to blood donor advocacy.

Kate founded Milkshakes for Marleigh after her daughter was diagnosed with seronegative paediatric auto...

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In this episode, Prav talks to Dr Sophie Binks about genetics and DNA in relation to autoimmune encephalitis. Asking the question 'can genetics play a part in the prevalence of encephalitis?'

Sophie is a Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Neurology SpR at Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford. She is also on the Scientific Advisory Panel for Encephalitis International. 

Her research focuses on clinica...

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