NINDS Neurological Complications Of Lyme Disease Information Page

Synonym(s):   Lyme Disease - Neurological Complications

Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)

What are Neurological Complications Of Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterial organism that is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected tick. Most people bitten by an infected tick develop a characteristic skin rash around the area of the bite. The rash may feel hot to the touch, and vary in size, shape, and color, but it will often have a "bull's eye" appearance (a red ring with a clear center). However, there are those who will not develop the rash, which makes Lyme disease hard to diagnose because its symptoms and signs mimic those of many other diseases.

Seven to 10 days following an infected tick's bite, the first stage of Lyme disease begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain.

Neurological complications most often occur in the second stage of Lyme disease, with numbness, pain, weakness, Bell's palsy (paralysis of the facial muscles), visual disturbances, and meningitis symptoms such as fever, stiff neck, and severe headache. Other problems, which may not appear until weeks, months, or years after a tick bite, include decreased concentration, irritability, memory and sleep disorders, and nerve damage in the arms and legs.

Is there any treatment?

What is the prognosis?

What research is being done?

NIH Patient Recruitment for Neurological Complications Of Lyme Disease Clinical Trials

• At NIH Clinical Center
• Throughout the U.S. and Worldwide

Organizations

Lyme Disease Foundation P.O. Box 332 Tolland, CT   06084-0332 info@lyme.org http://www.lyme.org Tel: 860-870-0070 800-886-LYME (5963) Fax: 860-870-0080	National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) National Institutes of Health, DHHS 6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC 6612 Bethesda, MD   20892-6612 http://www.niaid.nih.gov Tel: 301-496-5717
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) National Institutes of Health, DHHS 31 Center Dr., Rm. 4C02 MSC 2350 Bethesda, MD   20892-2350 NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov http://www.niams.nih.gov Tel: 301-496-8190 877-22-NIAMS (226-4267)	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 1600 Clifton Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA   30333 inquiry@cdc.gov http://www.cdc.gov Tel: 800-311-3435 404-639-3311/404-639-3543
Arthritis Foundation 1330 West Peachtree Street Suite 100 Atlanta, GA   30309 help@arthritis.org http://www.arthritis.org Tel: 800-283-7800 404-872-7100 404-965-7888 Fax: 404-872-0457

Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.

Last updated February 13, 2007