Cerebritis is the inflammation of the cerebrum, which performs a number of important functions, such as memory and speech.
It is also defined as a purulent nonencapsulated parenchymal infection of the brain which is characterized by nonspecific features on CT scans (ill-defined low density area with peripheral enhancement) and cannot reliably be distinguished from neoplasms.
The duration of the central nervous system involvement may vary from a few minutes, as in classic migraine or a transient ischemic attack, to years, as in dementia.
[4] Severe lupus cerebritis symptoms include psychosis, dementia, peripheral neuropathy, cerebellar ataxia (failure of muscular coordination, usually on one side of the body), and chorea (jerky, involuntary movements).
Some pathogens are also capable of passing over the blood–brain barrier and entering the brain through the bloodstream, despite the fact that the body has evolved defenses which are specifically designed to prevent this.
If the swelling appears to have increased to a dangerous level, surgery may be needed to relieve pressure on the brain.