Lyme Science Blog

Can Lyme Disease Affect the Brain? Autopsy Findings Explained Autopsy findings identified Borrelia species in brain tissue Different species were detected in separate brain regions The findings raise questions about neurologic Lyme symptoms Can Lyme disease affect the brain? In their article, “Concurrent Infection of the Human Brain with Multiple Borrelia Species,” Golovchenko and colleagues […]

Lyme Disease or Dementia? A Case of Reversible Cognitive Decline Cognitive decline may not always be dementia Behavioral changes and hallucinations can occur in Lyme neuroborreliosis Some dementia-like symptoms may improve with antibiotic treatment Lyme disease or dementia? In some cases, symptoms that resemble dementia — such as confusion, hallucinations, and behavioral changes — may

Atypical Lyme Disease Rash With Negative Testing A Lyme disease rash may not look like a bull’s-eye Negative testing does not always exclude early Lyme disease Recognition of atypical rashes may improve diagnosis and treatment An atypical Lyme disease rash may appear very different from the classic bull’s-eye rash many clinicians expect. Khanna and colleagues

Muscle Weakness and Constipation—Could It Be Lyme Disease? Muscle weakness and constipation in Lyme disease may be caused by neurologic and autonomic nervous system dysfunction—even when imaging and gastrointestinal testing appear normal. This pattern can be confusing because patients often undergo extensive gastrointestinal evaluations before Lyme disease is considered. For a broader overview, see Lyme

Does Lyme Disease Affect the Brain? Brain Damage and Brain Fog Lyme disease can affect cognition, memory, and brain function Brain fog and slower processing are common complaints MRI and imaging studies may reveal measurable changes Does Lyme disease affect the brain? Many patients report brain fog, slowed thinking, memory problems, dizziness, headaches, and difficulty

Lyme Disease Diaphragm Paralysis: A Rare Cause of Breathing Problems Diaphragm paralysis as a complication of Lyme disease was first reported in 1986. Since then fewer than five cases of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis from probable Lyme neuroborreliosis have been documented — making this a rare but important presentation to recognize. For a broader overview of

Lyme Carditis Causing Chest Pain and High-Grade AV Block Lyme carditis can affect the heart’s electrical system. Chest pain and shortness of breath may signal cardiac complications. A young woman developed persistent high-grade AV block after Lyme disease. Lyme carditis can present with chest pain, shortness of breath, heart rhythm abnormalities, and high-grade atrioventricular (AV)

Lyme Meningitis Symptoms: Can Lyme Disease Cause Meningitis? Lyme disease can cause meningitis in some patients Confusion, weakness, fatigue, and cognitive changes may occur Neurologic Lyme disease should remain in the differential diagnosis Lyme meningitis symptoms can include headache, fatigue, weakness, confusion, neurologic changes, and sometimes dementia-like symptoms. In some cases, Lyme disease may present

Borrelia antibodies found in patients with coronary heart disease How many patients who underwent surgery for coronary heart disease (CHD) had evidence of a prior infection with Borrelia burgdorferi (the bacterium which causes Lyme disease)? A study by Pietruszka and colleagues, “Serologic Status of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Patients with Cardiovascular Changes,” sought to

Can Lyme Disease Trigger Autoimmune Disease Like Lupus? Can infection trigger autoimmunity? In rare cases, Lyme disease may contribute to immune dysregulation. Lupus-like symptoms can sometimes emerge after infection. Lyme disease may trigger autoimmune disease in some patients, including conditions such as lupus. In rare cases, infection with Borrelia burgdorferi may contribute to immune dysregulation