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Patel V. The Challenge of Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: From Symptoms to Therapeutic Strategies. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:1186. [PMID: 38893713 PMCID: PMC11172037 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14111186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune condition that can seriously impair multiple organs including the nervous system, causing neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE), which encompasses a broad range of symptoms. Pathogenesis is not completely understood but is thought to involve inflammatory and vascular pathways. This comprehensive review discusses the complex nature and heterogeneity of NPSLE and the challenges in diagnosis and treatment that result from it. Diagnosis often requires a multidisciplinary approach with multiple assessments, including laboratory testing, imaging, and neuropsychological evaluations. Current treatments focus on managing symptoms through immunosuppressive and anti-thrombotic therapies tailored to the inflammatory or vascular nature of the specific NPSLE manifestations. This paper emphasizes the necessity for interdisciplinary approaches and further research to enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment effectiveness. It also highlights the importance of understanding the underlying mechanisms of NPSLE to develop more targeted therapies, citing the need for high-quality studies and novel treatment agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veena Patel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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Justiz-Vaillant AA, Gopaul D, Soodeen S, Arozarena-Fundora R, Barbosa OA, Unakal C, Thompson R, Pandit B, Umakanthan S, Akpaka PE. Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Molecules Involved in Its Imunopathogenesis, Clinical Features, and Treatment. Molecules 2024; 29:747. [PMID: 38398500 PMCID: PMC10892692 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29040747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an idiopathic chronic autoimmune disease that can affect any organ in the body, including the neurological system. Multiple factors, such as environmental (infections), genetic (many HLA alleles including DR2 and DR3, and genes including C4), and immunological influences on self-antigens, such as nuclear antigens, lead to the formation of multiple autoantibodies that cause deleterious damage to bodily tissues and organs. The production of autoantibodies, such as anti-dsDNA, anti-SS(A), anti-SS(B), anti-Smith, and anti-neuronal DNA are characteristic features of this disease. This autoimmune disease results from a failure of the mechanisms responsible for maintaining self-tolerance in T cells, B cells, or both. Immune complexes, circulating antibodies, cytokines, and autoreactive T lymphocytes are responsible for tissue injury in this autoimmune disease. The diagnosis of SLE is a rheumatological challenge despite the availability of clinical criteria. NPSLE was previously referred to as lupus cerebritis or lupus sclerosis. However, these terms are no longer recommended because there is no definitive pathological cause for the neuropsychiatric manifestations of SLE. Currently, the treatment options are primarily based on symptomatic presentations. These include the use of antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anxiolytic medications for the treatment of psychiatric and mood disorders. Antiepileptic drugs to treat seizures, and immunosuppressants (e.g., corticosteroids, azathioprine, and mycophenolate mofetil), are directed against inflammatory responses along with non-pharmacological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel A. Justiz-Vaillant
- Department of Para-Clinical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.S.); (C.U.); (R.T.); (B.P.); (P.E.A.)
| | - Darren Gopaul
- Port of Spain General Hospital, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago;
| | - Sachin Soodeen
- Department of Para-Clinical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.S.); (C.U.); (R.T.); (B.P.); (P.E.A.)
| | - Rodolfo Arozarena-Fundora
- Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, North Central Regional Health Authority, Champs Fleurs, San Juan 00000, Trinidad and Tobago; (R.A.-F.); (O.A.B.)
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Odette Arozarena Barbosa
- Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, North Central Regional Health Authority, Champs Fleurs, San Juan 00000, Trinidad and Tobago; (R.A.-F.); (O.A.B.)
| | - Chandrashehkar Unakal
- Department of Para-Clinical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.S.); (C.U.); (R.T.); (B.P.); (P.E.A.)
| | - Reinand Thompson
- Department of Para-Clinical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.S.); (C.U.); (R.T.); (B.P.); (P.E.A.)
| | - Bijay Pandit
- Department of Para-Clinical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.S.); (C.U.); (R.T.); (B.P.); (P.E.A.)
| | - Srikanth Umakanthan
- Department of Para-Clinical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.S.); (C.U.); (R.T.); (B.P.); (P.E.A.)
| | - Patrick E. Akpaka
- Department of Para-Clinical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.S.); (C.U.); (R.T.); (B.P.); (P.E.A.)
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