Rosenow's rabbits and postencephalitic parkinsonism

摘要

ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA AND THE THEORY OF FOCAL INFECTION In the early 20th century, neurologists encountered an encephalitis pandemic later known as von Economo's disease or encephalitis lethargica (EL).1 The eponym is appropriate, given that von Economo made the seminal description of the disease in 1917.2 This disease accounted for approximately half a million deaths.3 While both the etiology and treatment of this disorder remain elusive, the syndrome was characterized by prodromal flu-like symptoms followed by disturbances in sleep, behavior, and/or movement.3 Predominant parkinsonian features as a sequela of encephalitis in many of these patients led to the tide "postencephalitic parkinsonism," made famous in the movie Awakenings. Neurologic manifestations are now distinguished in 3 main forms: the somnolent-ophthalmoplegic type, postencephalitic parkinsonism, and postencephalitic-behavioral change