The film "Awakening," made in 1990 and inspired by a true story told by Dr. Oliver Sacks, depicts the struggle of individuals against lethargic encephalitis, often referred to as "sleeping sickness." This disease, which affected approximately a million people worldwide at the end of World War I, left many victims in an almost comatose state for decades. Its origins and disappearance remain a mystery that medical professionals have been unable to unravel for over a century, as reported by The Conversation.
Lethargic encephalitis was first identified in Vienna in 1917, with initial symptoms resembling those of the flu, but the progression of the disease was markedly different and very peculiar. Some patients had difficulty staying awake, while others suffered from severe insomnia. Many experienced prolonged complications, including tremors, muscle rigidity, and mood changes, often leading to a paralytic state that became synonymous with the illness, explains Jonathan Rogers, a clinical lecturer in adult general psychiatry at the University College London’s psychiatry department.
Dr. Sacks and his colleagues noted a wide range of strange behaviors among patients, with some even developing kleptomania. This unusual combination of symptoms and the absence of a clear causal factor puzzled researchers for many years. Possible causes of the disease were thought to range from environmental influences to infectious agents. The sudden emergence of lethargic encephalitis around the same time as the Spanish flu pandemic led to the first theories suggesting a possible viral connection. However, subsequent studies found little evidence of influenza in the brain tissues of the affected individuals, casting doubt on this hypothesis.
According to a long-standing study from archives examining 600 cases of the disease, only a minority of patients exhibited flu-like symptoms prior to the diagnosis of encephalitis, further weakening the viral theory. One theory that has gained traction in recent years, as described in a study published in Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, suggests that lethargic encephalitis may stem from an autoimmune reaction. Autoimmune diseases develop when the body's immune system mistakenly targets its own cells. For instance, in multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks the protective sheath of nerve fibers in the brain.
In the case of lethargic encephalitis, researchers suspect that antibodies may have targeted brain cells, leading to the emergence of unique neurological symptoms. Although the last known person to have survived lethargic encephalitis passed away two decades ago, understanding this disease may help prepare for future neurological epidemics, states Rogers.
Autoimmune encephalitis, now recognized as a condition in which the immune system attacks brain cells, shares symptoms that overlap with lethargic encephalitis, such as mood changes and cognitive disturbances. This connection allows scientists to propose that an infectious trigger may initiate an autoimmune response, and understanding it could be key to preventing future epidemics. Without a clearer understanding of what caused this "sleeping sickness," researchers are keeping a close eye on signs of similar syndromes and are prepared to confront the next potential wave of neurological disasters.
This material is for informational purposes only and does not contain advice that could affect your health. If you are experiencing issues, please consult a specialist.