Research into better treatment for inflammation of the brain
The effects of encephalitis, inflammation of the brain, are varied but have a huge impact. With the aid of the LUF, Dr Jutte de Vries, a medical microbiologist at the LUMC, is working on a solution.
A third of encephalitis patients die. Of those who survive, some develop chronic symptoms varying from paralysis and speech problems to epilepsy and depression. We know that viral infections are the main cause of encephalitis, but for half of all patients, the exact cause remains unknown.
This creates problems because the cause largely determines the treatment. Until now, lab technicians have used a test that only detects a limited number of pathogens, which means rare or unknown pathogens go undetected. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is an innovative method that makes it possible to identify all viruses and bacteria.
‘We look for rare and unknown pathogens.’
Donor gifts have made it possible for Dr Jutte de Vries to explore whether NGS can be used for encephalitis patients. She hopes to improve the diagnosis and thus the care for people who are affected by this serious condition.
If you too would like to contribute to innovative and socially relevant projects such as Dr Jutte de Vries’s project, take a look at our one-off gift page or donate with iDeal. We would like to thank you in advance on behalf of all the researchers at Leiden University.