Autoimmune Encephalitis
A. Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is a rare form of reversible brain inflammation that may present with psychosis, seizures, altered consciousness, dystonia, and a diverse spectrum of other neurologic symptoms. Tests…
Neurosarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune disease of unknown cause characterized by the formation of noncaseating granulomas. It can affect multiple organ systems, although pulmonary involvement is most common. Ocular and neurologic…
Transverse Myelitis
Transverse myelitis (TM) refers to a segmental inflammatory process involving the spinal cord, and may be idiopathic or secondary to a variety of specific disease processes. It typically presents with…
Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) is aimed at slowing disease progression and preventing development or worsening of disability. New neurologic symptoms (“relapses”) or progression of disability indicate ongoing disease activity….
Optic Neuritis
Optic neuritis is an inflammatory optic neuropathy that may be idiopathic or associated with underlying demyelinating disease. The typical presentation is one of subacute vision loss and dyschromatopsia (impairment of…
Lyme Disease Involving the Nervous System (Neuroborreliosis)
Lyme disease is caused by an infection with the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted via tick bites ( Ixodes ricinus in Europe and Ixodes scapularis in the United States). Primary infection…
Neurosyphilis
Syphilis, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum , is able to invade the central nervous system early in the course of infection. As many as 40% of patients will have…
Tuberculosis Affecting the Nervous System
Neurologic manifestations of infection with tuberculosis (TB) are diverse and can be challenging to diagnose given the limitations of available diagnostic tests. Suspicion for TB should be heightened in patients…
Subacute and Chronic Meningitis
Patients with subacute or chronic meningitis typically have fluctuating but slowly progressive symptoms of fever, headache, neck pain or stiffness, vomiting, and/or cognitive changes over four or more weeks. Meningitis…
Acute Meningitis
Acute meningitis is a neurological emergency. Clinical evaluation alone cannot accurately determine the cause of meningitis; lumbar puncture (LP) is essential and should be performed without delay. Empiric treatment should…
