Long-term neuropsychiatric consequences of aseptic meningitis in adult patients

Abstract

Aseptic meningitis is considered a benign and self-limiting clinical condition. In contrast to viral encephalitis and bacterial meningitis, the prognosis is usually good. The existing literature is scarce on the potential long-term neuropsychiatric consequences of aseptic meningitis. Previous studies have primarily been retrospective and differences in methodologies make it difficult to draw conclusions regarding the prevalence and nature of neuropsychiatric manifestations. However, studies have reported decreased psychomotor speed and impaired executive and visuo-constructive functions following aseptic meningitis. Larger controlled prospective studies are urgently needed to elucidate the neuropsychiatric complications of aseptic meningitis.

Keywords::

• Central nervous system infection
• aseptic meningitis
• viral meningitis
• neuropsychiatry
• cognition

Acknowledgments

We have previously published a similar, but shorter version of this review in Danish [42]. We have subsequently been encouraged to publish an updated English version of the review.

Declaration of interest: No funding was received. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.