Encephalitis and encephalopathy are two similar but different terminologies (in reality, the medical literature often may interchangeably use these two terms…)

• Encephalitis refers to inflammation of the brain parenchyma and is associated with neurologic dysfunction (e.g. – altered mental status, confusion, disorientation, behavioral changes). The cause of the encephalitis can be infectious (e.g. – bacterial/viral) or non-infectious (e.g. – autoimmune).

Encephalopathy also refers to neurologic dysfunction, however, it can be with or without inflammation of brain tissue.