[Report of a patient with behavioral disturbance and personality change due to herpetic encephalitis]

ABSTRACT

Herpetic encephalitis is associated with neurocognitive dysfunctions. Personality change and behavioral disturbances have been reported in 40 to 60 percents of patients with herpetic encephalitis. The present article reports a case with remitted encephalitis that manifests some behavioral changes and neuropsychological defects. A 17 year old boy became impulsive, aggressive, and restless and manifested stereotypical behavior after recovery from herpetic encephalitis. His symptoms lead to loss of function and several admissions in psychiatric wards due to his uncontrollable aggression. Brain imaging by MRI showed frontotemporal atrophy. There are some epileptiform discharge in patient's Electroencephalogram and patient showed learning disability and intellectual functions. The patient showed encephalitis associated personality change, behavioral disturbances and intellectual disabilities. Follow up studies with greater sample size can give more information about post encephalitis neuropsychiatric complications