Lyme Disease May Mimic Persistent Post-Concussion Syndrome
Persistent post-concussion symptoms may overlap with Lyme disease.
Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and brain fog were common.
Researchers questioned whether undiagnosed infection played a role.
Researchers at the Azzolino Clinic in San Francisco, California identified “an alarming number of individuals suffering from post-concussion syndrome (PCS), that are refractory to care and that have serologically tested positive for Lyme disease.” [1]
“Furthermore, we have witnessed a dramatic improvement in function and reduction in disability following treatment of these patients,” writes Azzolino and colleagues.
The authors questioned whether persistent symptoms after traumatic brain injury might sometimes reflect ongoing undiagnosed Lyme disease or associated co-infections.
Could Lyme Disease Contribute to Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms?
Azzolino and colleagues evaluated 217 patients with chronic post-concussion syndrome who had not responded to standard traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatment and who tested positive for Lyme disease by IGeneX IgM Western blot.
To be included in the study, patients had to experience at least one persistent PCS symptom for more than one year. Symptoms included headache, irritability, dizziness, vertigo, and difficulty concentrating.
All participants also had negative brain computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
Patients were excluded if they had previously tested positive for Lyme disease or co-infections, had received at least 2 weeks of antibiotics since the injury, had a primary neurologic illness such as multiple sclerosis or seizure disorder, or had post-stroke syndrome.
Researchers Found High Lyme Disease Positivity in PCS Patients
Out of the 217 patients, “38% had a positive Western blot IGeneX IgM.”
“There was a statistically significant relationship of a positive Western blot IGeneX IgM predicting chronic PCS,” writes Azzolino.
The authors suggested that treatment for Lyme disease could potentially improve symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and cognitive difficulties in some patients with persistent post-concussion symptoms.
“It is likely that [antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease], could also alleviate symptoms such as cognitive disturbances, dizziness, and fatigue,” writes Azzolino.
Symptom Overlap Between Lyme Disease and Traumatic Brain Injury
Persistent Lyme disease symptoms and chronic post-concussion syndrome can share many overlapping neurologic complaints, including headaches, brain fog, dizziness, fatigue, irritability, concentration problems, and sleep disturbances.
This overlap can complicate diagnosis, particularly when imaging studies are unrevealing and symptoms continue long after the original injury.
See also Brain zaps and internal vibrations in Lyme disease.
For additional discussion, see Neurological damage/dysfunction found in early Lyme disease patients.
Study Limitations
Editor’s Note: The study is limited by its reliance on an IgM Western blot from IGeneX laboratory and the absence of positive IgG Western blot confirmation. Further replication and additional research are needed.
At the same time, the study raises important questions regarding whether undiagnosed infections could contribute to persistent neurologic symptoms in a subset of patients with chronic post-concussion syndrome.
FAQ: Lyme Disease and Post-Concussion Syndrome
Can Lyme disease cause symptoms similar to post-concussion syndrome?
Yes. Lyme disease may cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, irritability, and concentration problems that overlap with persistent post-concussion symptoms.
Can Lyme disease be mistaken for traumatic brain injury symptoms?
Some neurologic and cognitive symptoms seen in Lyme disease may resemble chronic post-concussion syndrome, especially when symptoms persist despite standard treatment.
Related Articles:
Neurological damage/dysfunction found in early Lyme disease patients
References:
- Azzolino S, Zaman R, Hankir A, Carrick FR. The prevalence of Lyme disease and associated co-infections in people with a chronic post-concussive syndrome. Psychiatr Danub. 2019;31(Suppl 3):299-307.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
This makes perfect sense to me! I had a concussion and then about 8 months later was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. 6 years later still have multiple symptoms and complications!
Jeannie, have you had any improvements since your post?
What doctors & treatment can you recommend? It is so heartbreaking to see my daughter go through this … we’ve seen 2 amazing lyme doctors already amongst many others and she still is fighting for her life back !
Almost same exact here