15 Questions with Dr. Luggen - Nervous System Issues

For July, the LFA invited you to join us for the 15 questions topic "Nervous System Issues" with Dr. Michael Luggen. This was your opportunity to ask questions and learn from an expert.

Read his answers now.

Can Blood Tests Help Us Learn about CNS Lupus (Lupus and the Brain)?

Some people with lupus can develop mild or, more rarely, severe inflammation of the brain, also called Central Nervous System lupus (CNS lupus). Very rarely, people can develop serious problems from CNS lupus such as seizures or strokes. Sometimes it is hard to know the difference between CNS lupus and problems that might be due to fatigue, depression, or migraine headaches. Therefore, it would be helpful to have blood tests that could tell the difference, so appropriate treatments could be given.

What did the researchers learn?