Autoimmune Diseases with Nervous System Involvement

Autoimmune Diseases with Nervous System Involvement 

In reviewing specific autoimmune diseases, the primary involvement is often not the nervous system. However, neurologic symptoms and involvement frequently accompany most autoimmune disorders (Table 21.2). 

---

Autoimmune Diseases with Nervous System Involvement... 

Prolonged TCE exposure has been associated with impairment of peripheral nervous system function, persistent neuritis and temporary loss of tactile sense and paralysis of the fingers after direct solvent contact. Chromosomal effects have been reported in those involved in the use of TCE for degreasing and symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosis have been reported after chronic TCE exposure. In addition, organic dementia has been noted after occupational exposure to TCE and there have been some reports of an association between exposure and scleroderma, an autoimmune disease. 

Cell surface receptors are clearly of great importance in understanding the function of the nervous system, the endocrine system, the immune system, cell proliferation, and targets for infection. The major chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, autoimmune disease, necrologic and psychiatric disorders, and endocrine dysfunction involve interactions with cell surface receptors. Understanding the structure and function of surface receptors has grown into one of the great thrusts of pharmaceutical R D, pursued in the belief it will uncover as yet unknown approaches to treatment of diseases hitherto intractable. 

Like ptosis and eyelid disorders, abnormal ocular movements in thyroid-associated eye diseases may be consequential to abnormalities at different levels of the nervous system. Apart from myasthenia gravis described under eyefid disorders, the association of exophthalmos with ophthalmoplegia in hypothyroidism has been described. Elevated titers of thyroid antibodies suggest a possible role of autoimmunity (Brownlie et ai, 1975), but concurrent mechanical factors related to exophthalmos cannot be entirely excluded. Hence, the neurological level of involvement remains uncertain. 

---