The meningeal pathogen can be predicted by the patient’s age. In neonates, the most common pathogens are group B streptococci (Streptococcus agalactiae), gram-negative bacilli, and Listeria monocytogenes. In children, adolescents,…
CRANIAL NERVES Paraneoplastic autoimmune vision loss–associated optic neuritis, retinitis, and vitreous inflammation is syndromic with CRMP-5 IgG and SCLC. Although autoimmune retinopathy lacks inflammatory infiltrates, visual loss can be severe….
Limbic encephalitis is characterized by cognitive impairment, seizures, and behavioral abnormalities and may occur as a primary autoimmune or paraneoplastic condition. The most commonly associated neoplasm is small cell lung…
The evolution of our understanding of paraneoplastic autoimmunity began with descriptions of particular syndromes associated with specific cancers and subsequent individual autoantibody identification. Antineuronal nuclear autoantibody type-1 (ANNA-1), also known…
Immune-mediated paraneoplastic neurologic disease (PND) occurs as a consequence of the body’s immune response to a neoplasm. This is a complex interaction evolving during tumor development, varying with tumor type,…
SMS variants include stiff-limb syndrome, progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus (PERM), and a paraneoplastic process associated with breast cancer. Idiopathic gait ataxias sometimes accompany SMS. There is one instance…
The astute neurologist confronted with an unusual, seemingly idiopathic clinical disorder, always needs to be vigilant, asking whether a difficult diagnostic problem could also have a neuroimmunologic basis and eventual…
ADEM results from an autoimmune attack triggered by infection or immunization against CNS myelin proteins. Thus ADEM closely resembles experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced in rodents by CNS myelin products….
INTERFERON-β Three interferon-β (IFN-β) formulations are approved for relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). These are IFN-β-1b (Betaseron) subcutaneously every other day, IFN-β-1a (Rebif) subcutaneously three times weekly and IFN-β-1a (Avonex) intramuscularly weekly….
Recurrent spinal cord and/or optic nerve inflammation reminiscent of relapsing-remitting MS occurs in 80% of NMO patients. A monophasic course appears in 20%; visual and motor involvement is severe initially….
