A cerebral recurrence of panarteritis nodosa in a 64-year old man is reported. The patient developed lymphocytic meningitis and encephalitis resulting in dementia within 3 months. Lumbar puncture confirmed the presence of lymphocytic meningitis, and cerebral biopsy showed a lymphocytic arteritis. The neurological deficit regressed after six months of treatment with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide.