Secondary dementia due to Lyme neuroborreliosis.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Case series and narrative review of published case reports
PubMed 30046879 · doi:10.1007/s00508-018-1361-9
What was done
The authors summarized clinical patterns of dementia-like syndromes in Lyme neuroborreliosis using their own institutional cases and published case reports that met European guideline criteria for definite Lyme neuroborreliosis.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data or patient counts. Clinically, patients presented with subcortical dementia that progressed more rapidly than primary dementia, frequently accompanied by early gait disturbances. Patients exhibited an excellent clinical response to 2 to 4 weeks of ceftriaxone, with no reported indication for prolonged antibiotic therapy.
Why it matters
This review highlights Lyme neuroborreliosis as a rare, potentially reversible cause of rapidly progressive cognitive decline and gait impairment when treated promptly with standard antibiotic regimens.
Limits
The conclusions are drawn solely from descriptive case reports and series, which carry substantial risk of publication and selection bias. The abstract provides no sample sizes, effect estimates, objective cognitive measures, or control comparisons.
Cited by
- supports Advanced and severe Lyme disease can present with dementia-like symptoms and neurological manifestations resembling cerebral palsy.