Lyme Science Blog

How Lyme Disease Affects the Brain: Symptoms, Brain Fog, and Nerve Problems Lyme disease can affect the brain and nervous system. Symptoms include brain fog, memory loss, and nerve pain. Neurologic symptoms are often more common than arthritis. How does Lyme disease affect the brain? Lyme disease can affect the brain and nervous system, leading […]

Abnormal MRI Leads to Lyme Encephalitis Diagnosis in Immunocompromised Woman A woman with confusion and psychiatric symptoms was hospitalized repeatedly. Abnormal MRI and spinal tap findings ultimately led to a Lyme encephalitis diagnosis. The case highlights the diagnostic complexity of Lyme neuroborreliosis. In their article “Lyme neuroborreliosis with encephalitis: A rare case,” Rosendahl and colleagues

Is It Lyme Disease—or Borrelia miyamotoi in California? Relapsing fever—but not Lyme? Are tests missing the diagnosis? Borrelia miyamotoi may be overlooked. What if it’s not Lyme disease? In patients with relapsing fevers and negative Lyme tests, another tick-borne infection may be missed. “Although B. miyamotoi has been identified in ticks in California for more

SOT Therapy for Lyme Disease: What the Research Shows Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT) for Lyme disease has gained attention as a potential new approach—but current evidence remains preliminary, and important clinical questions are still unanswered. In their article Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT) as a Potential Treatment for Viral Infections and Lyme Disease: Preliminary Results, Apostolou

Why Tick Control Methods May Not Prevent Lyme Disease Tick control methods may reduce tick numbers without preventing Lyme disease. Neighborhood interventions do not always reduce human tick encounters. Personal prevention strategies still matter. Efforts to reduce tick populations in residential neighborhoods may not always lower the risk of Lyme disease. In their study, Impacts

Temporary Pacemaker for Lyme Carditis Heart Block Lyme carditis can cause serious heart block Some patients may require temporary pacing support Heart rhythm abnormalities may improve with antibiotics Lyme carditis can lead to atrioventricular (AV) block severe enough to require temporary pacing support. Fortunately, many conduction abnormalities caused by Lyme disease improve after appropriate antibiotic

Does Skin Color Affect Lyme Disease Diagnosis? So, how prepared are medical students to properly diagnose patients of all races and ethnicities? Do they have the diagnostic ability and confidence to recognize conditions such as Lyme disease in individuals with non-white skin? In the study “The impact of patient skin colour on diagnostic ability and

Alpha-Gal Syndrome Foods to Avoid Alpha-gal syndrome is triggered by tick bites and causes delayed reactions to red meat. Reactions typically occur 2–6 hours after eating—often waking patients from sleep. Avoiding mammalian meat and derived products is essential for managing this condition. Quick Answer: Alpha-gal syndrome foods to avoid include beef, pork, lamb, dairy, and

Lyme Disease and Transverse Myelitis: Case Report of Spinal Cord Inflammation Lyme disease may affect the spinal cord. Transverse myelitis can appear subacute in children. Early recognition may improve recovery. Can Lyme disease trigger inflammation of the spinal cord? In a pediatric case report, researchers described a child with Lyme-associated transverse myelitis (TM), a neurologic

Lyme Disease Toolbox: Where to Start, What to Do Next This Lyme disease toolbox is designed as a starting point for patients trying to make sense of symptoms, diagnosis, prevention, recovery, and treatment decisions. Lyme disease often does not follow a predictable path. Symptoms can shift, overlap, and evolve over time—making it difficult to know