What condition is characterized by inflammation of the covering of the brain or spinal cord?

Meningitis is characterized by inflammation of the protective membranes, known as meninges, that cover the brain and spinal cord. The condition can be caused by infections from bacteria, viruses, or fungi, which lead to swelling and irritation of these membranes. Symptoms often include headache, fever, neck stiffness, and, in severe cases, altered mental status.

In the context of the other conditions, encephalitis refers specifically to inflammation of the brain itself, often caused by viral infections. Neuroinflammation is a broader term that encompasses inflammation within the nervous system but does not specifically indicate involvement of the meninges. Myelitis, on the other hand, refers to inflammation of the spinal cord. Each of these conditions affects different parts of the central nervous system, but meningitis is the specific term for inflammation of the protective coverings surrounding the brain and spinal cord, confirming its distinction as the correct answer.