Biomolecular examination of patients with infectious or autoimmune-mediated encephalitis to improve the diagnosis and prognosis for the development of postencephalitic epilepsy

We propose a prospective, exploratory study to identify molecular biological differences between infectious and autoimmune encephalitides as well as potential epileptogenic processes. The planned molecular biological examinations are to be carried out on samples [serum/plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), cerebrospinal fluid] and imaging using MRI from patients treated at the clinics of the participating neurological departments. These are collected as part of routine examinations. Samples will be collected at specific time points from all patients who meet the criteria and agree to the examinations. A better understanding of the underlying molecular biological changes in various encephalitides would contribute to improved diagnosis and possibly prevent epileptogenic processes.