Infections, either bacterial or viral can also be another major cause of brain damage. Infections can damage the brain by getting in through the blood-brain barrier and the micro-organisms cause encephalitis. Cerebral abscesses which are a cause of meningitis are a form of bacterial infection. Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges. This infection is said to be fatal amongst 25% of adults. Syphillis, which is another bacterial infection which is contracted through genital sores, lies dormant for many years and then attacks the tissue. As a result it can cause memory loss, insanity and dementia. The other type of infection that can occur can be viral. Mumps and herpes are examples of viral infections. They attack the nervous system and