In this episode of The Encephalitis Podcast, Prav Prathapan speaks with Dr Melissa Wright, a paediatric autoimmune neurologist at the University of Utah and Director of the Paediatric Autoimmune Neurology and Neuroimmunology Program at Primary Children’s Hospital, about clinical trials in paediatric autoimmune encephalitis.

Dr Wright explains why clinical trials are so important for children with autoimmune encephalitis, how treatment decisions are currently made when evidence is limited, and why children are not simply “little adults” when it comes to research, medication, recovery and long-term outcomes.

The conversation also explores common concerns families may have about clinical trials, including placebo use, safety safeguards, trust between clinicians and families, and the importance of building a supportive research community for rare conditions.

This episode is especially relevant to our children’s appeal, through which we are trying to raise £30,000 by July 2026 to support vital work for children and families affected by encephalitis. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/encephalitischildrensappeal2026

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