effect of spinal meningitis on pre frontal lobe function

[limabeans]

Could a severe case of spinal meningitis at age 18 have an effect on prefrontal lobe activity years later?
The family has a history  of Parkinsons Disease and strokes.

Thanks you
MLSWK

[dr_simran]

Hello Dear,
The hallmark signs of meningitis are sudden fever, severe headache, and a stiff neck; encephalitis is characterized by seizures, stupor, coma, and related neurological signs. In more severe cases, neurological symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, confusion and disorientation, drowsiness, sensitivity to bright light, and poor appetite.
Meningitis often appears with flu-like symptoms that develop over 1-2 days. Distinctive rashes are typically seen in some forms of the disease. Meningococcal meningitis may be associated with kidney and adrenal gland failure and shock.
Patients with encephalitis often show mild flu-like symptoms. In more severe cases, patients may experience problems with speech or hearing, double vision, hallucinations, personality changes, loss of consciousness, loss of sensation in some parts of the body, muscle weakness, partial paralysis in the arms and legs, sudden severe dementia, impaired judgment, seizures, and memory loss.
Outcome generally depends on the particular infectious agent involved, the severity of the illness, and how quickly treatment is given. In most cases, people with very mild encephalitis or meningitis can make a full recovery, although the process may be slow.
Patients who experience only headache, fever, and stiff neck may recover in 2-4 weeks. Patients receiving treatment for viral meningitis and encephalitis usually see some relief in 24-48 hours and recovery in about a month. Patients with bacterial meningitis typically show some relief 48-72 hours following initial treatment but are more likely to experience complications caused by the disease. In more serious cases, these diseases can cause hearing and/or speech loss, blindness, permanent brain and nerve damage, behavioral changes, cognitive disabilities, lack of muscle control, seizures, and memory loss. These patients may need long-term therapy, medication, and supportive care.
Bacterial meningitis is a rare but potentially fatal disease. It can be caused by several types of bacteria that first cause an upper respiratory tract infection and then travel through the blood stream to the brain. The disease can also occur when certain bacteria invade the meninges directly. The disease can block blood vessels in the brain, causing stroke and permanent brain damage. Persons who have had pneumococcal meningitis often suffer neurological damage ranging from deafness to severe brain damage.
The correlation between meningitis and Parkinson’s disease is not fully demonstrated.
Best
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/encephalitis_meningitis/detail_encephalitis_meningitis.htm#103483083

[munger_J]

I read a comment you replied to about spinal meningitis and the effects it can have and I was wondering something. I was hospitalized with meningoccocal meningitis when I was 2 years old and I haven't experienced any of the major symptoms like mental retardation or the loss of vision or anything. All my life I have been thankful of how lucky I am. I've been thinking, though, if I could have been affected in other ways. I have a weak immune system and I get sick all the time. Also, I'm very intelligent, though I have belated reactions to everything and, even though I am able to reach the same conclusions other people do, it takes me much longer. I can't process what's happening to me while it's happening. So I can't make witty remarks and such, though I am capable of thinking of them. I am in advanced classes, though, and I'm smart, so it can't be lack of intelligence. Could the meningitis have infected my brain and my immune system? Also, I have arthritis and scholiosis and have been recently diagnosed with hyper mobility, and though I'm not sure if those have anything to do with meningoccocal meningitis, I suppose it's possible. I haven't been diagnosed with it, but I also think I suffer from depression. Thank you for your concern. -Kristen Munger