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Neuropsychological Functioning in Chronic Lyme Disease

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Abstract

Lyme disease is currently the most common vector-borne illness in the United States. The disease is multisystemic, and chronic disease, in particular, may be associated with neuropsychological deficits. However, to date, only a few empirical studies exist, which examine the neuropsychological sequelae associated with chronic Lyme disease. A review of the literature shows that the deficits observed in adults with chronic Lyme disease are generally consistent with the deficits that can be seen in processes with primarily frontal systems involvement. These observations are generally consistent with neuroradiologic findings. The clinical presentation in chronic Lyme disease and the nature of the neuropsychological deficits are discussed, as are several central issues in understanding neuropsychological functioning in chronic Lyme disease, such as the impact of chronic illness, response to treatment, and the relationship between neuropsychological performance and depression, fatigue, and neurological indicators of disease.

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  1. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island

    Holly James Westervelt

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island

    Holly James Westervelt

  3. Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York

    Robert J. McCaffrey

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Westervelt, H.J., McCaffrey, R.J. Neuropsychological Functioning in Chronic Lyme Disease. Neuropsychol Rev 12, 153–177 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020381913563

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